BASEBALL

REPORT: YANKEES SIGN WOMACK, WRIGHT

ESPN.com reported late last night that Yankees have signed second baseman Tony Womack to a two-year, $4 million contract. The deal, which might be announced today, is subject to Womack passing a physical.

Meanwhile, the Yankees reportedly filled one of the holes in their rotation by agreeing to a deal with former Atlanta Brave Jaret Wright. Wright will reportedly receive a contract similar to the three-year, $22.5 million deal Kris Benson signed with the Mets earlier this off-season.

The Yankees also offered salary arbitration to Jon Lieber and Orlando Hernandez before the midnight deadline, giving the team until January 8 to re-sign two key members of last season’s rotation.

RED SOX OFFER ARBITRATION TO KEY PLAYERS

Pedro Martinez, Derek Lowe, and Jason Varitek were offered salary arbitration yesterday by the Boston Red Sox, giving them until January 8 to re-sign three key players who helped the team win its World Series title. Shortstop Orlando Cabrera, pitchers Pedro Astacio and Mike Myers, infielder Pokey Reese, and first baseman David McCarty also were offered arbitration. Players have until December 19 to accept the offers.

GARCIAPARRA SIGNS ONE-YEAR DEAL WITH CUBS

Nomar Garciaparra agreed to stay with the Chicago Cubs yesterday, signing an $8 million, one-year contract that could rise to $11 million with performance bonuses. The five-time All-Star said at the end of the season that he’d consider coming back to the Cubs, but he wanted to test the free agent market for the first time in his career.

ANGELS CUT TIES WITH GLAUS

The Anaheim Angels declined to offer salary arbitration to free-agent third baseman Troy Glaus yesterday, cutting ties with the 2002 World Series MVP. The Angels also did not offer arbitration to pitcher Aaron Sele. A three-time All-Star, the 28-year-old Glaus missed most of last season because of a right shoulder injury.

TRACK AND FIELD

OLYMPIC COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE JONES

The International Olypmic Committee opened an investigation yesterday into doping allegations against Marion Jones, who could eventually be stripped of her five medals from the 2000 Olympics.

IOC President Jacques Rogge set up a disciplinary commission to look into the claims made by Victor Conte, head of the California-based lab accused of illegally distributing steroids. Conte told ABC’s “20/20” in a broadcast aired Friday that he gave Jones performance-enhancing drugs before and after the Sydney Olympics. He said he watched Jones inject herself with human growth hormone. Jones won three gold medals (100 meters, 200, and 1,600 relay) and two bronze (long jump and 400 relay) in Sydney.

Jones denies ever using banned drugs, and has threatened to sue Conte for defamation. World Anti-Doping Agency chief Dick Pound, a senior IOC member, has said Jones should be stripped of her medals if Conte is telling the truth.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

BOISE STATE SIGNS HAWKINS TO EXTENSION

Boise State coach Dan Hawkins signed a five-year, $2.6 million contract extension yesterday that could keep him with the Broncos through the 2009 season.

BASKETBALL

MALONE WON’T RETURN TO LAKERS

Karl Malone has ruled out a return to the Lakers because of comments made by Kobe Bryant in a radio interview, Malone’s agent said yesterday.

“Karl is furious,” agent Dwight Manley said. “He felt very disrespected and betrayed after being the first to stand up for Kobe over the last year throughout his rape charge and all he went through.” Bryant told XTRA on Monday he didn’t believe Malone, who is recovering from knee surgery, would come back to the Lakers, calling it “just intuition.” Bryant openly criticized Malone for being vague about his prospects for a return.

BROWN MOVES BACK TO BROADCASTING

Hubie Brown joined ABC as its top NBA analyst, the network announced yesterday. The 71-year-old Brown retired as coach of the Grizzlies on November 26, a season after being selected the league’s coach of the year. Brown will work on select regular season and playoff games, including the NBA Finals.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

IOWA BARELY HOLDS OFF IN-STATE RIVAL

Greg Brunner scored 23 points and no. 17 Iowa held off a late rally to beat Northern Iowa 76-73 last night. The Hawkeyes (7-1) led by 13 points with more than seven minutes left in the game, but then struggled as the Panthers pulled within a point in the final minute. The Panthers (3-2) had a chance to take the lead, but Ben Jacobson, who led all scorers with 25 points, missed a 15-footer with six seconds left.

BOXING

TYSON TRAINING FOR ANOTHER COMEBACK

Mike Tyson is beginning to train for a fight in March, his first since being knocked out by Danny Williams in July. Tyson issued a statement yesterday in which he also denied published reports that he is depressed and using cocaine. Tyson tore cartilage in his knee in the fight with Williams and had it operated on. Now, manager Shelly Finkel says Tyson will train for yet another comeback.

SOCCER

ARSENAL ADVANCES TO FINAL 16 IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Arsenal beat Rosenborg 5-1 yesterday to advance to the last 16 of European soccer’s Champions League. Unbeaten in Group E, Arsenal needed victory to be sure of advancing.

– Associated Press