Shannon

Stewart

Stewart will be a free agent. The question is more whether he would be a good fit for the Twins beyond this season, as they have a plethora of young outfielders to find room for.

Toronto’s biggest need is starting pitching. Stewart is almost a wasted player in Toronto because of the team’s de-emphasis on the stolen base.

The Star-Tribune reports that a deal doesn’t appear likely, at least not in the near future, because the Blue Jays are still in the playoff race. However, if the Jays are able to get Bobby Kielty in the deal, they wouldn’t lose much -- if anything at all -- by trading Stewart.

Stewart has been nursing a sore hamstring muscle while Hunter has been troubled by a sore knee. Both should be in and out of the lineup until the postseason.

Stewart missed most of the first half of the season due to plantar fasciitis in the same foot, and as such, the Twins will be careful with their leadoff hitter from here on in.

He will probably play in only one game this weekend as tuneup for the playoffs.

Stewart missed Sunday’s game with hamstring tightness and is day-to-day. Reed Johnson will get another chance to play if Stewart can’t go.

Reed Johnson has filled in capably the last two games, so ''we don’t want to risk anything major with [Stewart],’' manager Carlos Tosca said. Stewart is listed as day-to-day.

Stewart be re-evaluated before today’s game and should be considered day-to-day.

Although a run at Vladimir Guerrero is being considered, the Angels want to sign either Miguel Tejada or Kazuo Matsui to play shortstop, making Stewart a much more reasonable alternative in the outfield. The leftoff-hitting left fielder will probably earn about $6 million per year in his next contract.