Surgery for Toronto Announcer

Toronto Blue Jay radio announcer Tom Cheek underwent surgery during the weekend to remove a brain tumor and will require further treatment.

Cheek had the operation Sunday, his 65th birthday.

He began feeling ill Friday and was taken to a Toronto hospital, where tests revealed the tumor.

“My father is doing very well today,” Cheek’s son, Jeff, told a Toronto radio station. “He’s been holding court with family and friends.”

After broadcasting every game in franchise history, Cheek’s streak ended at 27 1/2 seasons June 3 because of his father’s death.

Cheek called 4,306 consecutive regular-season games, plus 41 in the postseason, since the Blue Jays began playing in 1977.

*

Outfielder Laynce Nix was put on the 15-day disabled list by the Texas Rangers a day after he sprained his right shoulder running into the wall against St. Louis.... Veteran infielder Ricky Gutierrez signed a one-year minor league deal with the Chicago Cubs. He was waived by the New York Mets earlier this season.... New York Yankee right-handed reliever Steve Karsay, who had rotator cuff surgery in May 2003, canceled a scheduled rehabilitation start before he took the mound at Clearwater, Fla., after he felt discomfort while warming up in the bullpen.

*

Jon Schuerholz, promoted from Class A to play in front of his father John, the Atlanta general manager, had four hits and helped key a six-run rally in the ninth inning that sent the Braves over the Minnesota Twins, 10-7, in the Hall of Fame exhibition at Cooperstown, N.Y.

Schuerholz, batting .165 as a second baseman for Myrtle Beach, hit his second pro home run and had three singles. He was selected the game’s most valuable player.

Andruw Jones, Wesley Timmons, Dewayne Wise and Jeff Francoeur also hit solo homers for the Braves at Doubleday Field.

Mike Restovich and Tommy Watkins homered for the Twins.

Atlanta right-hander Paul Byrd, rehabbing after shoulder surgery, gave up eight hits and six runs in six innings.