Ravens’ Ryan is new Jets coach

Baltimore defensive coordinator Rex Ryan was hired as the coach of the New York Jets on Monday, a day after the Ravens lost in the AFC championship game.

Ryan, 46, replaces the fired Eric Mangini, taking over a team that started last season 8-3 but missed the playoffs with quarterback Brett Favre after losing four of its last five games. The contract is for four years, a person with knowledge of the deal told the Associated Press.

“Coming here to the New York Jets, where my father once coached and was part of the Super Bowl III staff, is fantastic,� said Ryan, the son of former NFL coach Buddy Ryan, in a statement.

TENNIS

Williams sisters, Murray advance

Seeded players such as No. 4 Andy Murray, No. 2 Serena Williams and No. 6 Venus Williams advanced in the first round of the Australian Open.

The only minor early upset was ninth-seeded Agnieszka Radwandska’s 7-6 (7), 4-6, 6-1 loss to Kateryna Bondarenko, but fourth-seeded Elena Dementieva did struggle to beat Kristina Barrois, 7-6 (4), 2-6, 6-1.

BASEBALL

Angels sign Napoli to avoid arbitration

The Angels signed catcher Mike Napoli to a one-year, $2-million contract, less than 24 hours before the parties were scheduled to exchange arbitration figures. Napoli made $425,000 -- just above the major league minimum -- last season. With Napoli signed, pitcher Ervin Santana and infielders Robb Quinlan and Maicer Izturis are the only Angels without contracts.

For the 16-team World Baseball Classic in March, Angels General Manager Tony Reagins indicated the team would probably block Vladimir Guerrero from playing for his native Dominican Republic.

Guerrero was among 16 Angels named to the provisional rosters of nine countries for the competition in March, but he is recovering from off-season knee surgery.

The Angels are also likely to try to keep Napoli from playing for Italy because he had shoulder surgery this fall.

Seven Dodgers, including catcher Russell Martin (Canada) and reliever Jonathan Broxton (USA) were listed on the provisional rosters of six countries.

-- Kevin Baxter

The Dodgers avoided arbitration with outfielder Jason Repko, 28, signing him to a one-year, $500,000 contract. The deal includes $87,500 based on plate appearances.

The Dodgers continued their negotiations with outfielder Manny Ramirez but don’t appear to be close to re-signing him.

“Just checking in,� General Manager Ned Colletti said of his 15-minute phone conversation with Ramirez’s agent, Scott Boras.

With Repko signed, three Dodgers remain eligible for arbitration: Martin, Andre Ethier and Broxton.

-- Dylan Hernandez

Felix Hernandez, who made $540,000 last season, agreed to a $3.8-million, one-year contract with the Seattle Mariners.

Chicago White Sox closer Bobby Jenks, who made $550,000 last season, agreed to a $5.6-million, one-year contract.

The Baltimore Orioles and right fielder Nick Markakis have reached a preliminary agreement on a $66-million, six-year contract, a person familiar with the deal told the Associated Press.

Reliever Ryan Madson and the Philadelphia Phillies avoided arbitration by reaching a preliminary agreement on a $12-million, three-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told the AP.

ETC.

Ravens’ McGahee says he’s OK

Doctors told Baltimore Ravens running back Willis McGahee he would make a full recovery from a helmet-to-helmet hit in the AFC championship game.

“The MRI and the CAT scan checked out good,� McGahee said. “I was scared, but I didn’t know how serious it was. It was pretty intense.�

California tight end Cameron Morrah made himself available for entered the NFL draft on Monday, foregoing his senior season apparently against the advice of Bears Coach Jeff Tedford.

The PGA Tour’s Northern Trust Open, formerly known as the Los Angeles Open, will grant a sponsor’s exemption, named in honor of Charlie Sifford, to a minority golfer who otherwise would not have been eligible to play in the Feb. 19-22 tournament.

Kimmie Meissner (hip flexor), the 2006 world champion, and Emily Hughes (ankle) withdrew from this week’s U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

Saying he was choosing with his heart, Kaka decided to stay with AC Milan, ending talks over a record-breaking transfer bid from Manchester City reported to be worth $147 million.

The San Jose Sharks recalled forward Claude Lemieux, 43, from their AHL affiliate nearly six years after he had retired. He will probably play tonight.