Bonds welcomes investigation

Barry Bonds had a pointed message for the grand jury: Go ahead, investigate me.

After arriving at spring training Tuesday in Scottsdale, Ariz., more fit than in recent years after a productive winter of conditioning, the San Francisco Giants slugger insisted he’s unfazed by his off-the-field issues and is ready to resume his pursuit of the home run record.

“Let them investigate. Let them, they’ve been doing it this long,” Bonds said. “It doesn’t weigh on me at all -- at all. It’s just you guys talking. It’s just media conversation.”

Bonds has 734 home runs, 21 behind Hank Aaron’s record.

Pitcher Carlos Zambrano and the Chicago Cubs agreed to a $12.4-million, one-year contract, avoiding salary arbitration by striking the deal just before the scheduled hearing.

Bernie Williams rejected the New York Yankees’ offer of a minor league contract and will wait to see whether a guaranteed job opens up for him on the team.

JURISPRUDENCE

Colts’ Rhodes faces drunk driving charge

Indianapolis Colts running back Dominic Rhodes faces a drunk driving charge after state troopers arrested him Tuesday.

Rhodes, 28, was pulled over about 3 a.m. driving a GMC truck 81 mph in a 55-mph zone on Interstate 65 on Indianapolis’ far northwest side, said 1st Sgt. Dave Bursten, an Indiana State Police spokesman.

Troy Ellerman, the Colorado lawyer who pleaded guilty in San Francisco to leaking secret grand jury transcripts in a federal steroids probe, has resigned as commissioner of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Assn.

Former Minnesota Vikings receiver Koren Robinson must serve 90 days in jail for fleeing police in August. Robinson is now with the Green Bay Packers.

A judge declared a mistrial in Notre Dame football Coach Charlie Weis’ medical malpractice lawsuit after a juror collapsed and several doctors -- including the two defendants -- rushed to his aid.

MISCELLANY

Five shot during

All-Star weekend

Five people were shot during the NBA All-Star weekend in Las Vegas, including one man who was critically injured, police said.

The shootings occurred in three incidents from Saturday night to Monday morning.

Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones witnessed one of the shootings, in which three people were shot early Monday by someone in a group that was escorted out of the Minxx Gentlemen’s Club near the Las Vegas Strip.

Jones was interviewed by local authorities as a witness, not as a suspect, Jones’ lawyer Worrick Robinson said.

TENNIS

Williams advances

to quarterfinals

Venus Williams continued her comeback from injury by advancing to the quarterfinals of the Memphis (Tenn.) International with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over 16-year-old Caroline Wozniacki.

In her first event in more than four months because of wrist and knee injuries, Williams staved off a late rally by Wozniacki.

Wozniacki, who reached the quarterfinals in Memphis last year, played smart and consistent to lead 4-2.

But the seventh-seeded Williams won eight consecutive games to win the first set and take a 4-0 lead in the second.

Wozniacki fought back to 4-4, but Williams held serve and then clinched victory on her fourth match point.

Tommy Haas defeated Vince Spadea, 6-4, 6-1, to open the defense of his Regions Morgan Keegan Championships title at Memphis.

The second-seeded Hass won in 56 minutes.

Second-seeded Tommy Robredo defeated Simone Bolelli, 6-2, 6-2, in the second round of the ABN Amro at Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Fifth-seeded Jelena Jankovic defeated Aravane Rezai, 6-1, 6-2, to advance to the second round of the Dubai Open in the United Arab Emirates.

Albert Montanes defeated third-seeded Agustin Calleri, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-4, in a Copa Telmex round-robin match at Buenos Aires.

PRO FOOTBALL

Chargers sign Phillips

to six-year deal

Outside linebacker Shaun Phillips signed a six-year contract with the San Diego Chargers.

The deal keeps Phillips from becoming a restricted free agent. Phillips became a starter after Steve Foley was shot by an off-duty police officer eight days before the season opener.

General Manager A.J. Smith has signed 24 players through at least the 2009 season and eight through at least 2011.

Jason Garrett was given the title of offensive coordinator with the Dallas Cowboys, nearly a month after being hired.

Coach Wade Phillips also elevated Tony Sparano to assistant head coach.

The Chicago Bears promoted Bob Babich from linebackers coach to defensive coordinator, one day after the team announced it would not retain Ron Rivera.

BOXING

Morrison is scheduled

to fight Thursday

Former World Boxing Organization heavyweight champion Tommy Morrison is staging a comeback, saying that a positive HIV test that ended his career more than a decade ago was inaccurate.

“I’m negative and I’ve always been negative and that should be the end of it,” said the 38-year-old Morrison, who will face John Castle in a four-round fight at Mountaineer Racetrack and Gaming Resort in Chester, W.Va.

Morrison is 46-3; Castle is 4-2.