BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE MAJORS : Umpires Say They May Picket

Major league umpires, locked out by owners because of a contract dispute, could picket spring-training parks when exhibition games begin Thursday. The picketing, not yet approved by the umpires’ executive council, would be informational and not intended to stop people from entering stadiums. Umpires have been locked out since Jan. 1.

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Amid considerable upheaval and mounting tension between the haves and have-nots, baseball’s executive council met in Milwaukee for the start of a two-day session. . . . Pitcher Todd Stottlemyre agreed to a one-year contract with the Oakland Athletics and Steve Ontiveros reported to the A’s training camp after agreeing to arbitration. . . . The Milwaukee Brewers signed free agent outfielder Derrick May to a minor league contract. Second baseman Jody Reed, who turned down a $1-million, one-year contract late last season, called the Brewers to inquire about rejoining them, but they want Pat Listach to play second this year. . . . The Minnesota Twins signed free agent pitcher Greg Harris, 31, to a minor-league contract. . . . Infielder Randy Velarde, released by the New York Yankees in February, returned to them with a $350,000, one-year pact.