TEMPE, Ariz. — Ian Stewart may be the early leader for baseball’s strangest spring-training injury. The Angels infielder suffered a bruised — but not broken — nose late Sunday night when he inadvertently butted heads with his 4 1/2-year old daughter, Ellsi.

“She was lying in bed on her stomach watching TV, and when I went to put her to bed, I kind of lunged at her,” Stewart said. “I don’t know if I scared her, or what, but she sat up and our heads came together at the same time, my nose to the back of her head.

“I heard a crunchy sound and got an immediate headache. I thought I broke my nose. She just looked at me and laid back down.”

Stewart, who is competing for a utility infield spot, was scratched from Monday’s lineup and sent for X-rays, which were negative. Doctors also ruled out a concussion, and Stewart was cleared to resume full baseball activities Tuesday.