BOSTON -- Former Milwaukee Brewers catcher Dave Nilsson, who didn't play Major League Baseball last season so he could play for the Australian Olympic team, reportedly failed a physical given by the Boston Red Sox.

Nilsson had been on the verge of signing a $6 million, two-year contract, pending a physical performed Tuesday.

Nilsson flew from Brisbane to Boston and was examined at UMass-Worcester. Red Sox spokesman Kevin Shea said Wednesday the sides had not reached an agreement, but he would not confirm a report on WEEI-AM than Nilsson had failed the physical.

"We're not going to discuss what tests are performed or the results of those tests," Shea said.

Red Sox general manager Dan Duquette reportedly told Nilsson he had concerns about his knee and withdrew the offer and the deal they'd agreed on two weeks ago.

Nilsson hit .309 with 21 home runs and 62 RBI for the Brewers in 1999 and was a member of the NL All-Star team for the game at Fenway Park. The 30-year-old native of Brisbane earned $5.7 million that season, but he signed a one-year deal worth $2 million with Chunichi in Japan last summer so he would be available to play for his homeland in the Sydney Games.

With only one homer and eight RBI for Chunichi, he was sent to the minors in late April.