IN BRIEF

BASEBALL

Feldman, Rangers agree to $2.4 million contract

Texas Rangers right-hander Scott Feldman, who went 17-8 last season, agreed Friday to a one-year contract worth $2,425,000 and avoided an arbitration hearing.

Feldman began last season in the bullpen before moving into the starting rotation April 25. All his victories came as a starter. Only four pitchers in the majors had more wins, and his 12 road victories were tied for the most.

Also: Left-hander Joe Saunders and the Los Angeles Angels agreed to a $3.7 million, one-year contract, avoiding an arbitration hearing. The 28-year-old was 16-7 with a 4.60 ERA last season.

Right-hander Michael Wuertz agreed to a $5.25 million, two-year contract with the Oakland Athletics that avoided salary arbitration. He was one of the top setup men in the American League last season, going 6-1 with four saves and a 2.63 ERA.

Outfielder Eric Byrnes, let loose two weeks ago by the Arizona Diamondbacks, agreed to a one-year contract with the Seattle Mariners.

Arizona owed Byrnes $11 million from the final season of a $30 million deal, and any team could sign him for the $400,000 minimum, with the Diamondbacks responsible for the remainder.

Outfielder Xavier Nady and the Chicago Cubs finalized a $3.3 million, one-year contract. The deal was contingent on Nady passing a physical; he had his second elbow ligament replacement surgery in July.

Former All-Star reliever Derrick Turnbow agreed to a minor league contract with the Florida Marlins and will join their big league camp for spring training.

Florida Marlins first baseman Adam Kam and free-agent third baseman Duanel Jones were suspended by Major League Baseball for 50 games each under its minor league drug program.

MISCELLANEOUS

Former NFL star Walker will make MMA debut

Herschel Walker, a former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL star, will make his much-hyped mixed martial arts debut tonight on a Strikeforce card in Miami.

The card, which features a main event of Nick Diaz against Marius Zaromskis for the vacant welterweight title, will be televised tape delayed on Showtime (Cable 240) at 10 p.m.

Walker, 47, will meet Greg Nagy.

Also: Veteran football coach Chris Palmer has retired after 38 seasons, including 20 in the NFL, with the last three as the New York Giants quarterbacks coach. Palmer, 60, tutored Pro Bowl quarterbacks Drew Bledsoe, Mark Brunell, Tony Romo and Eli Manning.

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Rey Maualuga pleaded not guilty in Covington, Ky., to drunken and careless driving. Maualuga, 23, hit a parking meter and two parked cars early Friday with his 2003 Pontiac, causing minor damage.

Former Florida defensive end Carlos Dunlap pleaded no contest in Gainesville, Fla., to driving under the influence. He was placed on probation for a year and had his drivers license suspended for six months for the Dec. 1 incident.

The UNLV men's tennis team won two matches, defeating Utah State 7-0 and Northern Arizona 6-1 at the Fertitta Tennis Complex. Sophomore Mehdi Bouras led the Rebels (2-1) with victories at No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles in both matches.

The UNLV women's tennis team lost its first match of the season, 4-0 to No. 12 UCLA in the ITA Kickoff Weekend tournament in Los Angeles. The Lady Rebels are 3-1.

The UNLV women's track and field team posted 14 top-eight finishes at the Lobo Challenge at the Albuquerque (N.M.) Convention Center. The Rebels' Amanda Bingson took second in the weight throw with a distance of 53 feet 91/4 inches, Ali Motor finished third in the 800 meters in 2 minutes, 21.13 seconds, and Kelsey Williamson was third in the 200 in 25.06.

Jeff Hazelwood, Andrew Orpik and Mick Lawrence each had two goals and an assist to lead the Wranglers to an 8-5 ECHL victory over the Utah Grizzlies in Salt Lake City.