BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE MAJOR LEAGUES : Pact Called Near for Cal Ripken Jr.

The Baltimore Orioles and potential free agent Cal Ripken Jr. are close to a deal that would make him one of the highest-paid players in baseball, the Baltimore Sun reported.

The deal being discussed is expected to be worth about $30 million over five years, the paper reported.

Ripken, who had the best season of his career and was voted the American League’s most valuable player, has struggled this season, leading to speculation that the contract talks have been a distraction. Unless a deal is worked out this week, Ripken probably won’t be signed until after the season is over, the Sun reported.

The Oakland Athletics recalled pitcher Todd Revenig from double-A Huntsville to replace Mark McGwire on the roster. McGwire, who played in 120 of Oakland’s 121 games before suffering a strained right rib cage, became the 15th member of the A’s to be placed on the disabled list this season. It was the 21st time that Oakland has used the disabled list, a team record.

McGwire, whose 38 homers leads the majors, was put on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to Saturday. Revenig, who never has played in the majors, was 1-1 with a 1.75 ERA in 31 games.