Newsmakers

Signed The Texas Rangers have completed a one-year contract with free-agent catcher A.J. Pierzynski. Terms of the deal announced Wednesday weren’t released. Pierzynski, who turns 36 on Sunday, hit .278 with a career-high 27 home runs in 135 games for the Chicago White Sox last season.

• American goalkeeper Brad Friedel has signed up for another season with Premier League club Tottenham at age 41. Tottenham says Friedel has signed a new contract through 2014.

Cited Nebraska men’s basketball player Deverell Biggs has been cited on suspicion of driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident in Omaha, Neb., last weekend. His blood-alcohol content measured .134, over the legal limit of .08. The 20-year-old Biggs also was cited for minor in possession.

Sidelined Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney will miss up to three weeks with a knee injury. The England star missed United’s 4-3 win over Newcastle on Wednesday. Ferguson didn’t specify which knee was injured.

Accused The wife of former Atlanta Braves star Andruw Jones accused him of dragging her down a staircase, grabbing her neck and saying he wanted to kill her, according to police. A police report said the fight happened around 1:30 a.m. on Christmas Day, after Nicole Jones asked her husband to help her prepare their suburban Atlanta home for Christmas morning. Police said they found injuries on her neck, which they photographed for evidence.

Appealing UEFA is appealing its own disciplinary panel’s sanctions against Serbia for racial abuse in response to widespread outrage that the punishment was too lenient. During an under-21s match in October, Serbian fans directed monkey chants at black England players throughout a match in Krusevac, which ended in a brawl involving players and coaches. The British government led the condemnation of the $105,000 fine imposed on the Football Association of Serbia. Several Serbian coaches and players were suspended, and the team was ordered to play one under-21s match in an empty stadium.