Brewers Sign Mcdonald

Free-agent pitcher Ben McDonald, who battled shoulder problems for much of last season with the Baltimore Orioles, signed a two-year contract with the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Brewers and the New York Yankees had been in pursuit of McDonald, 28, a decorated collegian at LSU who became the first player chosen in the 1989 amateur draft. The Brewers, who have an option for a third year, were offering McDonald $6 million over two years, published reports said.

Milwaukee disclosed no details of the contract aside from its length.

The Chicago White Sox, searching this winter for a leadoff hitter, found one in free-agent outfielder Tony Phillips, and signed him to a two-year contract.

Phillips is a 14-year A.L. veteran with Oakland (1982-89), Detroit (1990-94) and California. His career batting average is .266 with 121 homers and 629 RBIs. Other details of the contract were not revealed.