BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : Rizzuto Returns to Yankees’ Booth

Phil Rizzuto, the Hall of Fame New York Yankees shortstop who retired after 39 years as a broadcaster for the team near the end of last season, decided to return to the booth for a 40th season on a limited basis.

Rizzuto, 77, will serve as an announcer for 31 of the 55 games scheduled to be broadcast on WPIX-TV. He will call all home games and also make trips to Cleveland, Baltimore, Boston and Toronto.

*

Lou Piniella, last season’s American League manager of the year, got a four-year contract extension from the Seattle Mariners. The 52-year-old Piniella, who guided the Mariners to the AL West title last season, will be with the club through the 2000 season. The Mariners are scheduled to play in a new $320 million outdoor stadium in Seattle in 1999.

*

The Boston Red Sox waived Luis Alicea, a month after signing the second baseman to a one-year contract. Alicea, 30, who agreed to a new contract on Feb. 10, batted .270 with six home runs and 44 runs batted in for the Red Sox last season.

Alicea was originally selected in the first round of the 1986 draft by the St. Louis Cardinals. In five National League seasons before joining Boston, he batted .250 with 11 home runs and 131 RBI.

*

The Montreal Expos, who rarely offer contracts for more than one year, agreed to a five-year deal that will pay outfielder Rondell White $10.3 million. The only other of contract of that length for a Montreal player was the five-year deal with catcher Gary Carter in 1978.

In 130 games last year, White batted .295 with 13 home runs and 57 RBIs. He led the team in runs scored with 87, hits with 140, doubles with 33, and stolen bases with 25. White is the second Expo this season to sign a contract for more than one year. First baseman David Segui signed a two-year deal last month.

White’s deal carries through 2000, with a club option for 2001. White will get $300,000 in 1996, $500,000 in 1997, $2 million in 1998, $3 million in 1999, and $4 million in 2000. White also would get $4 million in 2001 should the club exercise its option, or $500,000 for a buyout of that option.