BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE MAJORS : A’s Stewart Expected to Announce Retirement

Dave Stewart apparently plans to announce his retirement from the Oakland Athletics at a news conference today.

The A’s would not comment on the retirement after Saturday’s 6-4 loss to the Cleveland Indians. And Stewart would only say: “It’s gotta wait til tomorrow.”

But according to broadcast reports citing sources close to the team, the 38-year-old right-hander was expected to formally retire at the news conference.

Stewart, an Oakland native, was 3-7 with a 6.89 ERA this season. On Thursday, he volunteered to take himself out of the starting rotation and go to the bullpen.

The four-time 20-game winner has compiled a 168-129 career record. He was named the MVP in the 1989 World Series when the A’s swept the San Francisco Giants.

Stewart was originally drafted as a catcher by the Dodgers in 1975. He made his major league debut as a pitcher three years later. The Dodgers traded him to the Rangers in 1983.

The A’s put Mark McGwire on the 15-day disabled list because of a deep bruise in his left foot. They also put pitcher Steve Ontiveros on the 15-day DL because of pain in his right forearm.

Outfielder Ruben Sierra, sidelined since July 7 because of tendinitis in his knee, was activated. Pitcher Mike Mohler was recalled from triple-A Edmonton.

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The Cleveland Indians put center fielder Kenny Lofton on the disabled list because of a strained right rib cage. It is the first time in Lofton’s career that he has been put on the DL. The Indians recalled left-handed pitcher Alan Embree from Triple-A Buffalo to fill Lofton’s roster spot.

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Deion Sanders didn’t report to the San Francisco Giants on Saturday, a day after he was traded by the Cincinnati Reds. Manager Dusty Baker said he hoped Sanders would join his new team by Monday night, when the Giants begin a two-game series at Florida. Sanders has 72 hours to report.