DENVER (AP) β The Denver Broncos have announced the signing of Gary Kubiak (KOO’-bee-ak) to be their new coach. The former Texans coach signed a four-year contract to lead the Broncos after previously serving as the team’s backup quarterback and offensive coordinator. Kubiak was 61-64 with two playoff appearances in eight seasons with the Texans.
NEW YORK (AP) β NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy says the league is investigating whether the Patriots deflated footballs used in their AFC championship game victory over the Colts. The inquiry was first reported by the website for WTHR-TV in Indiana, citing an unnamed source. The game operations manual of the NFL notes that people who alter footballs or allow an unapproved football to be used in a game can be disciplined with fines or other punishments.
WASHINGTON (AP) β A person familiar with the negotiations says the Washington Nationals have worked out a seven-year, $210 million contract with 2013 AL Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer. The 30-year-old right-hander became a free agent after spending the past five seasons with the Detroit Tigers. He was 18-5 with a 3.15 ERA in 2014, a year after going 21-3 with a 2.90 ERA and being voted the AL’s best pitcher.
UNDATED (AP) β The Texas Rangers have added Yovani Gallardo (yoh-VAH’-nee gy-AHR’-doh) to their starting rotation, acquiring him from Milwaukee for three players and cash. Gallardo is 89-64 with a 3.69 ERA in eight major league seasons, including an 8-11 mark with a 3.51 earned run average in 2014. Infielder Luis Sardinas, and right-handers Corey Knebel and Marcos Diplan were dealt to Milwaukee.
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) β Serena Williams made a good start toward capturing a 19th career Grand Slam with a 6-0, 6-4 win over Alison Van Uytvanck of Belgium at the Australian Open. Williams has already won five Australian Open titles. Men’s top seed Novak Djokovic (JOH’-koh-vihch) opened his Australian Open schedule with a straight-sets win. And fourth seed Stan Wawrinka (vah-VRIN’-kuh) began his title defense with a straight-sets victory.
