Pettitte returns to Yankees' fold

Pettitte enjoyed plenty of success with New York

Starting pitcher Andy Pettitte has agreed a one-year $16m deal to return to the New York Yankees in 2007.

Pettitte, 34, who began his career with the Yankees, spent the last three seasons with Houston who offered him a a less lucrative new one-year contract.

In his first nine-year spell in the Bronx, the left-hander helped the club win four World Series titles.

New York's rotation now includes Randy Johnson, Chien-Ming Wang, Mike Mussina and Carl Pavano.

The team is also currently negotiating with Japanese left-hander Kei Igawa.

Mike Piazza has agreed a one-year contract with Oakland, who may use the 38-year-old former Mets catcher as a designated hitter.

Piazza is MLB's all-time leader among catchers with 396 home runs but has always had his failings behind the plate.

Former Giants shortstop Jose Uribe has died in car crash in his native Dominican Republic at the age of 47.

Uribe began his Major League career in 1984, playing eight games for the St. Louis Cardinals, joining San Francisco for eight seasons.

He is credited with paving the way into MLB for other Dominican players.