UPI NewsTrack Sports

Matsuzaka is AL player of the week

NEW YORK, May 21 (UPI) -- Boston pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka won both his starts last week and was selected the American League player of the week.

Matsuzaka defeated Detroit May 14 with a complete game effort and lasted eight innings in collecting a win over Atlanta Saturday. He had a 2.12 earned run average for the two appearances and struck out 11.

The Red Sox' right-hander is 6-2 this season with a 4.06 ERA.

Others considered for American League player of the week were: Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki, Texas' Victor Dias, the New York Yankees' Jorge Posada and Detroit's Justin Verlander.

Two share NL player of the week award

NEW YORK, May 21 (UPI) -- Houston outfielder Hunter Pence and Arizona relief pitcher Jose Valverde were selected to share the National League player of the week award.

Pence, a rookie, hit .591 for the week that ended Sunday, with a 1.091 slugging percentage and .625 on-base percentage. He hit two home runs, scored five runs and knocked in five on the week.

Valverde didn't allow an earned run while picking up four saves last week. He allowed only two hits and struck out four.

Other players considered for National League player of the week were: Arizona's Randy Johnson, the New York Mets' David Wright and the Chicago Cubs' Aramis Ramirez.

Seau returns to Pats for 18th NFL season

FOXBORO, Mass., May 21 (UPI) -- Junior Seau, who has been selected to 12 Pro Bowl teams, signed a contract to return to the New England Patriots this fall for his 18th NFL season.

Terms of his deal for 2007 weren't disclosed.

Seau had retired from the NFL last August but joined the Patriots and played 11 games, making 70 tackles last season. He was placed on injured reserve in November with an arm injury.

Seau has played in 241 games for the San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins and New England. He has 1,794 tackles, 53 sacks and 15 interceptions.

The 38-year-old linebacker played his first 13 NFL seasons with the Chargers, who selected him in the 1990 draft. He was traded to Miami before the 2003 season and spent three seasons with the Dolphins. He was selected to the Pro Bowl each season from 1992 to 2002 as a Charger and again in 2003 with Miami.

Denver player investigated in assault case

DENVER, May 21 (UPI) -- Authorities in Arapahoe County, Colo., are investigating Denver Broncos wide receiver David Kircus in connection with an alleged assault.

Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson said Kircus is believed to have been involved in a fight but no arrests have yet been made pending the results of a photo lineup, the Rocky Mountain News reported Monday.

"There's an ongoing investigation and that's all I know at this point," Harvey Steinberg, Kircus' lawyer, told the newspaper. "I'm representing David and he'll do what I tell him; that's where we're at."

Robinson said the assault victim suffered injuries to his face that required minor surgery to correct, the Rocky Mountain News reported.