BaseballAstros: Declined to offer salary arbitration to IF...

Baseball

Astros: Declined to offer salary arbitration to IF Ricky Gutierrez and IF Jack Howell, P Brian Williams and OF Stan Javier.

Brewers: Signed following free agents to minor-league contracts: P Michael Busby, P Mike Iglesias, P Greg Mix, P Mike Rossiter, P Travis Smith, P Eric Ludwick, P Greg McCarthy, P David West, P Joe Crawford and C Kade Johnson. Announced the following minor-league assignments: Named Steve Smith manager, Dwight Bernard pitching coach and Luis Salazar hitting coach for Triple-A Indianapolis. Promoted Carlos Lezcano to manager, named Mike Caldwell pitching coach and John Mallee hitting coach for Double-A Huntsville. Named Barry Moss manager, Lonnie Keeter pitching coach and George McPherson hitting coach for Single-A Mudville. Named Steve Cline pitching coach and Jorge Brito hitting coach for Single-A Ogden. Named Dan Norman manager, Gilbert Rondon pitching coach and Frank Kremblas hitting coach for Single-A Helena.

Braves: Offered salary arbitration to OF Gerald Williams, P Rudy Seanez and IF Jose Hernandez. Declined salary arbitration to OF Otis Nixon and C Greg Myers. Re-signed free agent 1B Brian Hunter to minor-league contract and invited him to spring training.

Cardinals: Signed free agent 1B-OF Larry Sutton, who had been with Royals, to one-year contract. Offered salary arbitration to P Darren Oliver and OF Thomas Howard.

Diamondbacks: Named Scott Coolbaugh manager for Single-A High Desert.

Indians: Offered salary arbitration to OF Wil Cordero and P Chris Haney. Declined to offer salary arbitration to IF Carlos Baerga, P Dwight Gooden, P Paul Assenmacher and DH Harold Baines.

Marlins: Promoted Lou DePaoli to vice president of sales and Jim Frevola to director of marketing partnerships. Named Pat McNamara director of season and group sales.

Pirates: Signed OF Adam Hyzdu, IF Jason Wood, P Jose Lopez and OF Daren Hooper. Released P Michael Chaney, P Mario Cordoba, P Danny Crawford, P Manuel Helena, C David Diaz, C Jose Sanchez, C Alvaro Zambrano, 3B Victor Araujo, SS Digno Delarosa, OF Santos Cortez, OF Mo Douglas, OF Juan Hernandez and OF Alvin Hidalgo from minor-league system.

Basketball

NBA: Fined Knicks C Patrick Ewing $10,000 for failing to make himself available to media during designated media access periods. Fined Knicks $25,000 for failing to ensure players comply with NBA media access rules.

Bulls: Placed F Toni Kukoc on injured list with lower back spasms. Activated G B.J. Armstrong from injured list.

College

National Soccer Coaches Association of America: Named to Division III All-American second team: D John Del Monaco (Johns Hopkins). Named to third team: G Michael Svehla (Salisbury State).

Akron: Signed football coach Lee Owens to four-year contract extension through March 2006.

Bethel, Kan.: Named Mike Moore football coach.

Cal-Irvine: Named men's volleyball coach Charlie Brande women's volleyball coach.

Concordia, St. Paul: Announced the resignation of volleyball coach Liz Perryman, effective Jan. 7.

Florida State: Sebastian Janikowski received Lou Groza Award as top kicker in college football for second straight year.

Georgia Tech: Offensive coordinator Ralph Friedgen won Broyles Award, given to nation's top assistant college football coach.

Jacksonville State: Named John Thompson recruiting coordinator and Brad McAbee offensive line coach.

Maryland: Signed Arin Gellety (River Hill/Clarksville, Md.) to letter of intent for baseball.

Minnesota: Announced G Natea Motley has left women's basketball team and school.

Navy: Terrence Anderson has been named to GTE Academic All-America football second team and to Sporting News All-America third team.

Newberry: Named Alana Hill women's soccer coach.

Nicholls State: Named Steve Miller assistant baseball coach.

Texas A&M: Named Steve McDonnell associate athletic director for academic affairs.

Utah State: Named Bob Cole, Kraig Paulson and Tom McMahon assistant football coaches.

Football

NFL: Named Giants QB Kerry Collins NFC Offensive Player of Week, Bengals QB Jeff Blake AFC Offensive Player of Week, Buccaneers CB Donnie Abraham AFC Defensive Player of Week, Lions punt returner Desmond Howard NFC Special Teams Player of Week and Colts K Mike Vanderjagt AFC Special Teams Player of Week.

Broncos: Signed DE Jonathan Brown and S Chris Jones to practice squad.

Browns: Signed OT Roger Chanoine. Signed DL Geno Bell and WR Chad Carpenter to practice squad.

Eagles: Signed DT Kelly Gregg, who had been with Bengals.

49ers: Placed LB Joe Wesley and CB Monty Montgomery on IR. Signed DT David Richie and WR-KR Roell Preston to active roster and CB Darwin Brown to practice squad.

Lions: Placed TE Pete Chryplewicz on IR. Signed TE Ed Smith to active roster and T Paul Janus to practice squad.

Golf

Golf Writers Association of America: Named Tiger Woods, Juli Inkster and Bruce Fleisher Players of the Year.

Hockey

Avalanche: Assigned G Rick Tabaracci to IHL Orlando.

Canucks: Assigned C Darby Hendrickson to AHL Syracuse.

Lightning: Reassigned D Andrei Skopintsevand G Zac Bierk to IHL Detroit.

Stars: Activated RW Grant Marshall from IR.

Thrashers: Acquired RW Shean Donovan from Avalanche for G Rick Tabaracci.

Horse racing

Sportsman's Park: Named Allan Plever racing secretary and handicapper for National Jockey Club.