TAMPA, Fla. – Tug McGraw was released from the Moffitt Cancer Center on Friday, three days after the former star reliever underwent six hours of surgery to remove a brain tumor.
It is not known whether the tumor is malignant or benign. The hospital, citing the family’s request for privacy, refused to release further information.
“The family appreciates the outpouring of affection we received during these past few days from my father’s friends and fans,” McGraw’s daughter, Cari Velardo, said in a statement. “We also appreciate the way members of the public and the news media have respected our family’s continued need for privacy, and we trust they will remain sensitive in this regard.”
After the operation, Dr. Steven Brem said McGraw’s chances for recovery are “excellent,” even if the tumor, which extended to both sides of the brain, is malignant. Brem directs the neuro-oncology program at Moffitt.
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 on March 12.
Cubs closer Alfonseca sidelined until May
MESA, Ariz. – Chicago Cubs closer Antonio Alfonseca will miss the first month of the season after injuring a hamstring this week.
Alfonseca has a moderate-to-severe strain of his right hamstring, an injury sustained Tuesday when he slipped and fell while fielding a ground ball off the bat of Seattle’s Randy Winn.
“Nobody can predict whether it’s the first week of May or the second, but it looks like it’s going to be probably at least five, six weeks before he can be in a game,” Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said Friday.
The Cubs obtained the 30-year-old Alfonseca in a six-player trade with the Florida Marlins at the end of last spring training after then-closer Tom Gordon was injured.
Alfonseca saved 19 games in 28 chances for the Cubs last year, going 2-5 record with a 4.00 ERA.
Pitching-rich Yankees trying to trade Hitchcock
TAMPA, Fla. – New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is trying to trade pitcher Sterling Hitchcock.
Among seven starters on the Yankees’ roster, Hitchcock would be used as a long reliever if he starts the season with New York.
“If I can put him in a position where he can be a starter for somebody else rather than in the pen, it’s good for him and us,” Cashman said Friday. “If we get a chance to do something like that works for everybody, so be it. We’re looking to make ourselves better, period.”
Hitchcock would like to remain a starting pitcher.
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