Twins sign Hernandez to fill void

Righthander Livan Hernandez agreed yesterday to a $5 million, one-year contract with the Twins that could earn him an additional $2 million in performance bonuses. The Twins' rotation was ransacked in the offseason by the departures of Johan Santana and Carlos Silva. Santana was traded to the Mets, and Silva signed with the Mariners. Last year, Hernandez made $7 million while going 11-11 with a 4.93 ERA in 33 starts for Arizona. The Cuba native has been durable over 10-plus years in the majors, logging at least 199 innings each season since 1998 . . . The fiberglass apple that popped up when New York Mets players hit home runs in Shea Stadium will follow them to their new ballpark when it opens next season . . . Pinch-hitting specialist Mark Sweeney of Holliston agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the Dodgers.

Punter Jeff Feagles, 42, signed a two-year contract with the Giants. Feagles, who represented himself in negotiations, declined to say how much money he would earn, but he made $1 million last year in the final year of a five-year deal . . . Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said if the team can't work out a long-term deal with Terrell Suggs, the team will place the franchise tag on the linebacker. The NFL deadline to use the franchise tag is Feb. 21 . . . Sunday's Pro Bowl drew its best ratings in eight years, earning a 6.3 rating and a 12 share. That's up 37 percent from last year's 4.6 . . . New Orleans re-signed kicker Martin Gramatica, who joined the Saints for the final three games in 2007.

Panthers forward Richard Zednik's condition was upgraded to good and he was moved out of the intensive care unit at Buffalo General Hospital. That was just two days after teammate Olli Jokinen's skate blade sliced the 32-year-old's neck, cutting his carotid artery and stopping shy of his jugular vein . . . Oilers defenseman Sheldon Souray will miss the rest of the season with a left shoulder injury.

Michael Costabile, the inventor of the timing device used in No. 1 Tennessee's 59-58 win over No. 5 Rutgers Monday, suspects human error led to the disputed ending of the game. At issue is whether Rutgers' Kia Vaughn fouled Nicky Anosike before time expired, with the clock appearing to pause at two-10ths of a second. "Have we had somebody hit the wrong button? Yes," said Costabile. Both the game officials and the timekeeper have the ability to control the clock, he said. "[The system] is only as good as someone pushing the button," said Costabile . . . Big East coordinator of officials Art Hyland said official Bob Donato was within his rights to whistle Villanova for a last-second foul, a call that decided Monday night's game in Georgetown's favor. Donato called a foul on Villanova's Corey Stokes after he bumped Jonathan Wallace about 80 feet from the basket with less than one second remaining . . . Indiana swingman A.J. Ratliff, who was declared academically ineligible for the first semester, will not finish his senior season with the Hoosiers.

Barking and baying up a storm, Uno lived up to his name by becoming the first beagle to win best in show at the Westminster Kennel Club. The nation's new top dog, owned by Eddie Dziuk of Columbia, Mo., and three other co-owners, was clearly the fan favorite, and drew a roaring, standing ovation from the sold-out crowd at Madison Square Garden when he was picked. The beagle beat out two perfect poodles, a top Sealyham terrier, a sleek Weimaraner, a lively Australian shepherd, and a sprightly Akita to claim the crown . . Shaquille O'Neal, who is learning a new offense and working his way into shape after a hip injury, said he is unlikely to make his debut with the Phoenix Suns tonight at Golden State . . . The Charlotte Bobcats will again be without leading scorer Gerald Wallace (strained right foot) for tonight's game against Atlanta . . . A lawyer for a sports marketer who is suing football star Reggie Bush said he and his client walked out of a deposition after a bodyguard for Bush's attorney opened his jacket to expose a pistol . . . Guy Morse, the executive director of the Boston Athletic Association and a top official of the Boston Marathon, was injured in a fall Feb. 1, requiring surgery on both legs. Morse, 56, had bilateral quadriceps surgery to repair ruptured tendons in both legs, the BAA said . . . Longtime New England thoroughbred racing official Sam Elliot has been named vice president of racing at Suffolk Downs. The track also promoted Tom Creel to racing secretary . . . Austrian skier Maria Holaus will miss the rest of the women's World Cup season because of injuries to both knees.