Phillies’ Howard seeks $18 million in arbitration

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard asked for $18 million in salary arbitration Tuesday. It was the third-highest figure submitted since the process began in 1974.

Philadelphia offered the 2006 National League most valuable player $14 million, a raise of $4 million.

The World Series champions avoided arbitration with center fielder Shane Victorino, pitcher Joe Blanton and reliever Ryan Madson. Victorino agreed to a $3,125,000, one-year contract, Blanton got a $5,475,000, one-year deal, and Madson a $12 million, three-year deal.

The Dodgers signed catcher Russell Martin and reliever Jonathan Broxton to one-year contracts, leaving outfielder Andre Ethier as their only remaining player eligible for arbitration. The Dodgers will pay Martin $3.9 million and Broxton $1.825 million. Broxton’s deal includes $200,000 in incentives based on games.

Ethier and the Dodgers were more than $1 million apart in the salary figures they exchanged. Ethier asked for $3.75 million and the Dodgers offered $2.65 million. They will argue their respective cases in an arbitration hearing next month if they can’t reach a settlement by then.

-- Dylan Hernandez

The Angels avoided arbitration with infielder Robb Quinlan, signing him to a one-year $1.1 million deal, but they remain far apart in negotiations with infielder Maicer Izturis and pitcher Ervin Santana.

Izturis, the Angels’ opening day shortstop, hit .269 in 79 games last season despite missing the last six weeks with a torn ligament in his left thumb. His agent, Peter Greenberg, is seeking $1.885 million for 2009, nearly half a million more than the Angels’ offer of $1.4 million. He made $1.2 million last summer.

Santana went 16-7 with a 3.49 ERA and made the All-Star team last season when he earned $420,000. His agent, Bean Stringfellow, is asking for $4.33 million this winter while the Angels have offered $3.6 million.

-- Kevin Baxter

Among the 42 players who reached one-year agreements were Seattle left-hander Erik Bedard ($7.75 million), Pittsburgh first baseman Adam LaRoche ($7.05 million), New York Yankees outfielder Xavier Nady ($6.55 million) and Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon ($6.25 million).

TENNIS

Federer wins at Australian Open

Second-ranked Roger Federer reached the third round of the Australian Open at Melbourne, where he is trying to equal Pete Sampras’ record of 14 Grand Slam titles.

Federer was dominating in a 6-2, 6-3, 6-1 victory today over No. 118 Evgeny Korolev, a Russian who has never made it past the second round in a major. It took just 86 minutes.

On the women’s side, top-ranked Jelena Jankovic held on for a 6-4, 7-5 win over Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium.

FOOTBALL

Billionaire Ross buys Dolphins

Stephen Ross, a New York real estate billionaire, completed his purchase of 95% of the Miami Dolphins for $1 billion, with Wayne Huizenga retaining a 5% interest. Ross said Bill Parcells would continue to run the team’s operations.

Ron Meeks resigned after seven seasons as Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator.

BASKETBALL

Self’s recruit greeting checked

Kansas officials are checking to see if Coach Bill Self’s brief exchange with a top recruit might constitute an NCAA infraction.

Self agrees he said hello to John Wall, a 6-foot-4 guard who had just played in a high school tournament in Springfield, Mo.

It happened during an evaluation period last week when college coaches are not allowed contact with prospects other than to exchange greetings.

Wall is rated the No. 1 overall recruit for the class of 2009 by Rivals.com.

ETC.

Michigan hires Greg Robinson

Michigan hired Greg Robinson as its defensive coordinator. The former head coach at Syracuse, he was fired in November after going 10-37 in four seasons. He replaces Scott Shafer.

New York Islanders goalie Rick DiPietro will miss the rest of the season because of lingering swelling and soreness in his left knee. The injury kept DiPietro out for all but five of the team’s 46 games.

PASSINGS

Lavelli, 85; NFL Hall of Famer

Hall of Famer Dante “Gluefingers” Lavelli, a sure-handed receiver who helped the Cleveland Browns build a dynasty in the 1940s and ‘50s, has died. He was 85.