BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE MAJORS : Hurst Announces His Retirement

Bruce Hurst, struggling in his comeback attempt with the Texas Rangers, announced his retirement. Hurst, 36, was 2-1 with a 7.11 earned-run average in eight starts with the Rangers this season.

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The escalator at Camden Yards that injured dozens when it came to a sudden halt had a history of problems and had been rebuilt before the season, a Baltimore television station reported.

Fans were tumbled atop one another when the escalator jerked to a halt Saturday about 20 minutes before the start of the Minnesota-Baltimore game. Twenty-eight had to be taken to nearby hospitals, where they were treated for a variety of minor injuries, the most serious a broken ankle, hospital officials said.

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Pitcher John Smoltz of the Atlanta Braves said he will not appeal an eight-game suspension for hitting John Cangelosi of the Mets with a pitch. . . . Florida State pitcher Paul Wilson, the top pick in this year’s amateur draft, has signed with the New York Mets.