Gross Signs $6-Million Deal With Rangers

The Texas Rangers signed Kevin Gross, 33, a free agent right-hander who pitched the last four seasons with the Dodgers, to a two-year, $6-million contract on Tuesday.

Gross’ deal includes a $400,000 signing bonus. His 1995 salary is $2.5 million, and he will get $3.1 million in 1996. Gross is eligible for $300,000 in bonuses.

“I have a lot of high goals and expectations of myself,” he said. “I don’t necessarily expect to be the No. 1 starter. It’s going to take a team effort from the whole staff.”

Gross had the lowest earned-run average (3.60) among Dodger starters and topped the staff with 124 strikeouts.

The Rangers also signed free agent infielder-outfielder Mark McLemore, a former Angel, to a two-year contract.

*

The Philadelphia Phillies reached tentative agreements with pitchers Curt Schilling and Tommy Greene on one-year contracts for next season. Schilling will earn $2.3 million and Greene $2 million.

Boxing

Two-time heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield will make his return to the ring March 25 in China against former World Boxing Assn. champion Mike Weaver.

Holyfield, 32, retired when he was found to have a minor heart problem after losing to Michael Moorer in April.

But after a recent battery of tests at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, Holyfield has received medical clearance to return to the ring.

Heavyweight Larry Donald, struck twice in the face by Riddick Bowe at a Nov. 28 news conference at the Forum to promote their Dec. 3 fight, has agreed to drop the lawsuit he filed against Bowe on Dec. 2 in Los Angeles Superior Court.

Miguel Angel Gonzalez of Mexico retained his World Boxing Council lightweight title and improved to 35-0 when he stopped American Calvin Grove (46-7) after five rounds in Albuquerque, N.M.

Hockey

The NHL and its players’ association have agreed to resume negotiations today or Thursday, at a site to be determined. Commissioner Gary Bettman, who Monday was given authority to cancel the season if a 50-game schedule and full complement of playoff games cannot be played, estimated that an accord has to be reached within 10 days to save the season.

College Football

Washington and Jefferson is investigating reports that players from the college in Washington, Pa., taunted a black Albion running back with racial slurs during Saturday’s Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl.

Fresno State fullback Chris Burk, previously charged with biting off part of a man’s lip during a brawl, has been cited for allegedly beating his own girlfriend. Burk was not arrested but was given a misdemeanor battery citation.

Texas receiver Lovell Pinkney, due for practice on Sunday, has not been seen by his coaches or teammates since Saturday, Coach John Mackovic said.

Alabama Birmingham, looking for a higher-profile coach to lead its football program, said Jim Hilyer was stepping aside to take a job as assistant athletic director.

Derrick Mayes, a junior who set Notre Dame’s season record for touchdown receptions this year with 11, said he will not give up his final year of eligibility to play in the NFL.

Rich Brooks, who led Oregon to its first Rose Bowl berth since 1958, won the Bear Bryant Award as coach of the year.

Washington running back Napoleon Kaufman and California quarterback Dave Barr were among 38 players selected to the West Team for the East-West Shrine Game in Palo Alto.

Names in the News

Todd Martin and Jim Courier, both Davis Cup veterans, will represent the United States against France on Feb. 3-5 at St. Petersburg, Fla. . . . John Daly, on the sidelines for 3 1/2 months since a scuffle with a spectator, will return to the PGA Tour in the 1995 season-opening Mercedes Championship at La Costa. . . . The Olympics’ chief anti-doping official, Alexandre de Merode, who is chairman of the International Olympic Committee medical commission, said he believes coaches and trainers from former East Germany are responsible for the recent positive drug tests involving Chinese athletes. . . . Haley Scott of Notre Dame, who returned to swimming at the NCAA level after a bus accident initially left her paralyzed, was named the winner of the Honda Inspiration Award, which goes to the collegiate woman athlete who has overcome a handicap to contribute to her team. . . . Sunny Garcia of Hawaii is the overall leader after the first round of the $155,000 Surf Classic in Australia.