Stewart exits game after HBP, X-rays negative

TORONTO -- The Angels are hoping they won't lose Ian Stewart to the disabled list, but they understand it's a possibility.

Stewart was forced to leave Sunday's 9-3 win over the Blue Jays in the seventh inning after taking a pitch off his left hand. The third baseman, who was hit on the knuckles of his ring and pinky fingers, underwent X-rays at Rogers Centre which came back negative, but he was in some pain and will need to have a follow-up examination.

"Too soon," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said when asked if Stewart would require a DL stint. "But we are certainly going to look at some stuff. It hit him pretty flush."

Stewart attempted to check his swing on a first-pitch offering from Toronto reliever Aaron Loup, but he went around on the 91-mph fastball and dropped to the ground in obvious pain after getting hit.

The 29-year-old was down for a brief moment before exiting. John McDonald entered the game as his replacement and flied out to right field for the third out.

"It's just sore," Stewart said. "Trying to make a fist, it's sore. Good news, though, from the X-ray and hopefully it's just a day-to-day thing."

Stewart struck out in his first two at-bats before snapping an 0-for-24 skid with a sixth-inning triple, and he later came around to score on a single from Collin Cowgill.

Losing Stewart would challenge the Angels' depth, as the club is already without starting third baseman David Freese.

Freese, who sustained a non-displaced fracture in his right middle finger after getting hit by a pitch, is eligible to come off the DL on May 18, and the Angels believe there's a possibility that could happen. Freese is currently at the Angels' Spring Training complex in Arizona participating in baseball-related activities.