Strawberry: Lost, Found and Out? : Baseball: Dodger slugger skips Freeway Series finale for undisclosed reasons. Claire calls excuse unacceptable and his future with team is in doubt.

Darryl Strawberry, missing for nearly 24 hours, was located in apparently good health late Sunday, but his career with the Dodgers appears to be over.

In a sudden turn to what the Dodgers had hoped would be a promising season for the troubled outfielder, Strawberry failed to show up for Sunday’s game against the Angels at Anaheim Stadium. Attempts to locate him proved futile until about 8 p.m., when Strawberry spoke to Executive Vice President Fred Claire. Afterward, Claire issued a terse statement, calling Strawberry’s action inexcusable.

“I have spoken to Darryl and he is with his family,” Claire said in a prepared statement. “I am not satisfied with the explanation he has given me for his failure to report for the game today. I intend to meet with Darryl (today) to review the matter in detail and to determine what the appropriate disciplinary action will be. This type of behavior is extremely detrimental to the ballclub and will not be tolerated.”

Sunday’s incident is the latest in a series of troubles Strawberry has endured with the Dodgers since signing a $20.25-million contract before the 1991 season. At the very least, his future with the team is in doubt.

The Dodgers owe Strawberry $8 million for two years, including this season, but his contract could be voided if he breached a standard good-behavior clause. The reason for his absence was not disclosed.

Either way, Claire said late last year that one more incident by Strawberry would not be tolerated. That sentiment was precipitated by last season’s numerous problems. Strawberry, trying to come back from back surgery, had a dismal time on the field as well as off it. In September, he was arrested for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend, Charisse, now his wife. The charge was later dropped.

But after a season of disregarding rules concerning his rehabilitation, Claire had had enough. He began to shop Strawberry as early as August before the trading deadline and continued throughout the rest of the season. After Strawberry showed disrespect for Los Angeles fire victims last November, Claire put Strawberry on the waiver wire, making him available to any team for $20,000, plus his remaining contract. There were no takers.

That move seemed to shake up Strawberry, who once again in his tumultuous, 11-year career, rededicated himself. Since then, he has shown a strong work ethic, so much so, that he even was an example for teammates. During the spring, he was often the first one to arrive at the clubhouse and one of the last to leave. “My guess is as good as yours,” said Dodger Brett Butler after hearing Claire’s statement. “I look at the spring and it looked like change, it looked positive and upbeat. I thought things were ready to go.”

In December, Strawberry, 32, married Charisse Simon, and they recently had a son, Jordan Shay. He talked about his hope and confidence that he would once again be dominating on the field. And his health appeared fine.

The Dodgers moved him from right field to left field to help ease the stress on his back from throws, and he was starting to hit the ball hard. But Friday night, in his debut at Dodger Stadium after not playing since June of 1993, he was booed by the fans. It started in the first inning when he misplayed a ball for an error, allowing a runner to score, and continued as he went 0 for 4.

After the game, Strawberry said the booing didn’t bother him. Then Saturday night, he hit a homer run over the right field fence. After the game, teammates said he appeared happy. So, when he didn’t show up for Sunday’s game, the players were concerned. Claire continued throughout the day to try to locate Strawberry, but attempts were unsuccessful. Charisse Strawberry told the Dodgers she hadn’t seen him since Saturday night, but was expecting him after Sunday’s game for a family function.

“I just hope he’s all right,” said Delino DeShields, who has become good friends with Strawberry during the spring. “I’m thinking of his health. The man’s got a family. He’s got children. Regardless of what happens he’s still going to be my friend.”

Since breaking into the majors with the New York Mets in 1983, Strawberry has continually been plagued with controversy. In the spring of 1990, he entered an alcohol rehabilitation clinic and acknowledged hitting his first wife, Lisa. Most recently, Strawberry has been the target of an IRS probe of several baseball players for failing to report income tax from card shows. But Marty Gelfand, Strawberry’s attorney, said Sunday night that there has been no action taken by the IRS.

“Whatever happened (Sunday) has nothing to do with the IRS tax investigation,” Gelfand said.