BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE MAJOR LEAGUES : Mets’ Franco Now Top-Paid Reliever

John Franco agreed to a two-year contract extension with the New York Mets, making him the highest-paid relief pitcher in baseball.

Franco will be paid $3.5 million for both the 1993 and 1994 seasons as well as a $1-million signing bonus for a total of $8 million over the length of the two-year deal. He will make $3 million in 1992.

Frank Thomas agreed to a three-year contract with the Chicago White Sox for $4 million. Thomas, 23, was third in MVP voting last season.

He hit .318 with 32 home runs, 109 RBIs and a major league high .453 on-base percentage after hitting .330 in two months in 1990.

Minnesota Twin third baseman Mike Pagliarulo will undergo surgery Tuesday to repair a perforated eardrum and will miss two more weeks of spring training. Pagliarulo was hit in the head during batting practice March 6.