Strawberry Has Substance Abuse Problem, Won’t Play

Darryl Strawberry, who disappeared from the Los Angeles Dodgers for a day, has a substance abuse problem and has been placed on the disabled list, the team announced Monday night.

General Manager Fred Claire, who said Strawberry will immediately enter a treatment center, could not predict when--or if--the outfielder will rejoin the team.

“Darryl Strawberry has admitted having a substance abuse problem and has requested assistance from the Dodgers,” the team said in a statement.

Claire did not say specifically whether Strawberry, who has been treated for an alcohol problem, was having trouble with drinking or drugs.

Strawberry failed to show for the team’s exhibition game Sunday against the California Angels at Anaheim Stadium. His absence prompted a frantic all-day search by the team.

He finally was located with his family late at night. The Dodgers remain dissatisfied with his explanation, which they did not disclose.

Dodger players, coaches and Manager Tom Lasorda met for 45 minutes Monday before going through a light workout at Dodger Stadium. The team opens at home Tuesday against the Florida Marlins.

“I feel like he’s really let us down,” said Lasorda, who has been a staunch Strawberry supporter. “He’s let this ballclub down. I’m very disappointed.

“I’m very angry with him, absolutely. Players have a commitment to the man who’s paying them their salary. I’m not happy about it.

“He’s getting paid good money, he’s getting paid a lot of money, his responsibility should be to this ballclub, and when it isn’t, then he’s making the biggest mistake of his life.”

Claire said Sunday night the reason Strawberry gave for his disappearance was insufficient.

“This type of behavior is extremely detrimental to the ballclub and will not be tolerated,” he said, adding he would speak to Strawberry on Monday and determine “appropriate disciplinary action.”

It was the latest in a series of problems concerning Strawberry. Since breaking into the majors with the New York Mets in 1983, he has fought with teammates and feuded with managers, entered an alcohol rehabilitation clinic, admitted hitting his first wife, Lisa, from whom he is now divorced, and was arrested for threatening her with a gun. He has admitted considering suicide at one point.

KABC-TV reported that several people said Strawberry was at an Anaheim nightclub from about 10:30 p.m. Saturday until closing time, about 2 a.m. Sunday.

The club is about a mile from Anaheim Stadium, where Strawberry had played in the Dodgers’ 5-2 loss to the Angels on Saturday night. He homered in his final at-bat.

Ken Hong, who owns the nightclub, confirmed to the Associated Press the television station’s report that Strawberry was drinking alcohol, but said Strawberry didn’t cause a disturbance and was signing autographs and socializing with other patrons.

“He only had a couple drinks and was very well-behaved,” Hong said. “He was a very friendly man.”

Lasorda said he had not been informed of the reason for Strawberry’s disappearance, but emphasized that the team is ready to go about its business.

“We’re ready to open the season tomorrow, and that’s what we’re concentrating on,” Lasorda said. “I just told the players that we’re going to have to go forward and we’re going to have to win with or without anybody on this ballclub.”

Strawberry, 32, has two years remaining on the five-year, $20.25-million contract he signed with the Dodgers after the 1990 season, following eight mostly successful years with the Mets. He is owed $8 million over those two years.