AROUND THE MAJORS

Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and Tony Gwynn worked with the FBI to help catch forgers who were selling faked items in the sports memorabilia market, according to a broadcast report.

The athletes helped the FBI spot fake signatures during a two-year undercover FBI investigation known as “Operation Bullpen,” ABC’s “20/20” reported.

Gwynn told “20/20” he went to the FBI three years ago after discovering the San Diego Padres’ gift shop was victimized by suppliers of fake baseball memorabilia.

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New York Met left-hander Al Leiter, third baseman Robin Ventura and right-hander Billy Taylor will have knee surgeries today. . . . Philadelphia Phillie first baseman Rico Brogna was recovering Thursday after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder. . . . Houston Astro third baseman Ken Caminiti, who sat out 79 games this season because of a calf problem, suffered three fractures in his lower back after falling from a deer blind during a South Texas hunting trip. Caminiti was expected to remain at Methodist Hospital in Houston through today, then spend the next eight weeks recuperating.