Gonzalez, Arizona Agree to a Big Deal

Luis Gonzalez and the Arizona Diamondbacks agreed Tuesday to a $30-million, three-year contract extension.

It’s a substantial raise for Gonzalez, a three-time All-Star and .316 hitter in his four years with the team. He will get $4 million for this year under his current contract.

“The trade that was made to bring Luis here was an all-time deal for us,” Diamondback owner Jerry Colangelo said. “Gonzo has become an icon.”

Gonzalez told agent Jeff Moorad that he didn’t want to become a free agent and that he wanted to stay with the Diamondbacks. Gonzalez gets a $250,000 signing bonus, $8.25 million in 2004, $10 million in 2005 and $11.5 million in 2006. The contract includes a mutual option for 2007 at $10 million

“This gives me a lot of peace of mind,” Gonzalez said. “Contracts are kind of always lying in the back of your mind, but now I can just let it go.

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Tug McGraw underwent six hours of surgery to remove a brain tumor, but doctors don’t expect to know until Friday whether it was cancerous.

“I’m very optimistic in a couple days he’ll want to leave the hospital,” Dr. Steven Brem said. “His chances are excellent for recovery.”

Brem, who directs the neuro-oncology program at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Fla., described the 58-year-old former pitcher as alert and in good spirits. Brem said the tumor extended to both sides of the brain.

“Even if it is [malignant], his chances for recovery are excellent,” Brem said.

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Montreal Expo pitcher Orlando Hernandez will be sidelined for seven to 10 days because of tendinitis in his right rotator cuff.

The right-hander was diagnosed with the ailment Sunday after complaining of soreness after his last start, on March 13 against Cleveland. In that start, Hernandez pitched four shutout innings and gave up two hits.

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New York Yankee reliever Steve Karsay received a cortisone shot because of bursitis in his right shoulder and will start the season on the disabled list.

Karsay has pitched just twice this spring. He experienced discomfort Monday, one day after throwing a scoreless inning against Houston. On Tuesday before receiving MRI results, Karsay said the odds were against him being ready for opener on March 31 at Toronto.

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Chicago Cub closer Antonio Alfonseca will undergo further tests today after slipping and straining his hamstring.... Turk Wendell’s return to the Philadelphia Phillies’ bullpen was dealt a setback when the right-hander felt pain in the sore elbow that kept him out for all of last season.... Starting pitcher Jamey Wright was released by the Seattle Mariners. Wright is 50-67 in his career, playing for Colorado, Milwaukee and St. Louis.... First baseman/outfielder Lee Stevens was released by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.