Baseball

Astros: Signed P Tony McKnight, P Brian Powell, P Derek Root, P Brian Sikorski, IF Julio Lugo, IF Chris Truby, IF Carlos Villalobos and OF Glen Barker to one-year contracts.

Athletics: Agreed to one-year contracts with P Brad Rigby, P Jay Witasick (C. Milton Wright, UMBC), P Juan Perez, C Danny Ardoin, C Ramon Hernandez, IF Jorge Velandia and OF Mario Encarnacion.

Braves: Signed 1B Brian Hunter; invited him to major-league camp.

Diamondbacks: Signed P Byung-Hyun Kim.

Dodgers: Hired Jin Roy Ryu as special adviser.

Rockies: Agreed to one-year contracts with SS Neifi Perez and P Jamey Wright.

College

Conference USA: Reprimanded Cincinnati men's basketball coach Bob Huggins for comments made over public address system during game Wednesday.

SEC: Suspended Louisiana State C Jabari Smith for first half of today's game against Georgia for flagrant, unsportsmanlike foul in game Wednesday.

Nevada: Extended suspension of G-F Joao Santos for remainder of season.

Northwestern State: Defensive coordinator Brad Peveto resigned.

Oregon: Named Nick Alliotti defensive coordinator.

Rhode Island: Women's basketball coach Linda Ziemke resigned. Named Dayna Smith interim coach.

UCLA: Named John Pearce defensive ends coach.

Football

Dolphins: Signed LB Robert Jones to five-year contract extension.

Hockey

Hurricanes: Assigned F Shane Willis to AHL New Haven.

Panthers: Reassigned D Peter Ratchuk to AHL New Haven.

Rangers: Assigned D Adam Smith to IHL Fort Wayne.

Pub Date: 2/20/99