BASEBALL DAILY REPORT

Pitcher Kevin Appier, the subject of several trade rumors, and the Kansas City Royals agreed to a three-year contract that includes a limited no-trade clause, General Manager Herk Robinson said.

Terms of the contract, which includes an option year for 2000, were not released. The deal includes a one-year no-trade clause effective July 30. Appier then designated six teams to whom he could be traded during the remaining term of the contract

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Cleveland activated first baseman Julio Franco from the disabled list and sent newly acquired pitcher Kent Mercker to triple-A Buffalo. . . . Minnesota Manager Tom Kelly signed a three-year contract extension, through the 2000 season. . . . The Baltimore Orioles called up pitcher Garrett Stephenson from triple-A Rochester and put outfielder Mark Smith on the disabled list.