Surgery Today for McGraw

Tug McGraw was on the minds of the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday, including former teammate Mike Schmidt.

The Hall of Fame third baseman rejoined the Phillies as a special spring training hitting instructor. His thoughts were on McGraw, who is scheduled for surgery today at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Fla.

“The initial reports were very gloomy,” Schmidt said. “But they’ve done a total about-face since he got to the cancer center. They haven’t found cancer in any other part of his body. Doctors have told him that people walked out of the hospital the day after the operation. They’re optimistic.”

Two sources close to McGraw, speaking on condition of anonymity, previously said doctors at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater diagnosed him with a malignant brain tumor after he was hospitalized last Wednesday.

But in a statement released by the Moffitt Cancer Center through the Phillies, Dr. Steven Brem, program leader of Moffitt’s neuro-oncology program, said evidence of a malignant brain tumor is “inconclusive.”

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Alex Rodriguez doesn’t expect to be fully recovered from a neck injury when the season starts -- but he does plan to be in the Texas Ranger lineup.

The All-Star shortstop rejoined his teammates Monday after missing five days of spring training because of a herniated disk.

Rodriguez thinks he will need three weeks of rehabilitation work with team trainer Jamie Reed. The Rangers open the season March 30 against the Angels.

“I’m doing double treatments,” Rodriguez said before heading out to join teammates for morning workouts Monday. “I’m expecting it to take three weeks to get back to full strength. The doctor says I’m basically in good shape.”

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Moving to keep two of their top young players, the Toronto Blue Jays agreed to five-year contracts with center fielder Vernon Wells and third baseman Eric Hinske.

Hinske, the American League’s rookie of the year last season, is guaranteed $14.75 million. Wells is guaranteed $14.7 million.

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New York Yankee reliever Steve Karsay has a sore right shoulder again, and won’t pitch until the pain subsides. Karsay looked tentative in walking one batter over a scoreless inning in Sunday’s 1-0 win over Houston.... Florida Marlin pitcher A.J. Burnett will be examined by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala. on Wednesday after leaving his last spring start with tightness in his forearm.... The Tampa Bay Devil Rays agreed to a minor league contract with former Texas Ranger right-hander Rob Bell.... Pitching prospect Pasqual Coco was released by the Blue Jays after reports that he stole money from teammate Diegomar Markwell’s locker. Coco was cut because he was in violation of his player contract, Blue Jay spokesman Jay Stenhouse said. He would not address specifics of the newspaper reports.