BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE MAJOR LEAGUES : Strawberry’s Road Back Starts in Tampa

Darryl Strawberry prepared for the end of his 60-day suspension by donning Yankee pin stripes, taking his first swings in the batting cage and accepting responsibility for his drug and alcohol problems.

“For a long time, I’ve been my own worst enemy,” Strawberry said at a news conference in Tampa, Fla. “I don’t want to do that any longer.”

The 33-year-old outfielder reported to the New York Yankees’ minor league complex.

He will play for the Tampa Yankees in the Class-A Florida State League after his suspension ends Saturday.

Strawberry arrived under police escort at the complex, where he was met by Yankee owner George Steinbrenner. The two embraced and Steinbrenner told him, “I am with you, as long as you are with me.”

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Montreal Expo pitcher Mel Rojas lost his salary arbitration case and will make $1.3 million this season instead of the $2.1 million he asked for. Arbitrator Tim Bornstein made the decision after hearing both sides Wednesday.

Rojas, a 28-year-old right-hander, made $450,000 last season. He is 1-1 this year with a 3.72 earned-run average and 11 saves in 29 innings.

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Toronto Blue Jay second baseman Roberto Alomar dropped his appeal of his suspension, and AL President Gene Budig cut the penalty from two games to one.

Alomar will miss today’s game in New York against the Yankees. A hearing had been scheduled for this afternoon.

The penalty was imposed because Alomar threw his glove at umpire Rich Garcia after a May 17 game at Texas. Alomar was said to be angry at the balls and strikes called by Garcia, and threw his glove toward the umpire from the dugout. It fell about a half-yard in front of Garcia.

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The Texas Rangers acquired left-handed relief pitcher Dennis Cook from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for minor league shortstop Guillermo Mercedes. Cook, 32, will be at Arlington for tonight’s game with Oakland, the Rangers said, adding that a player move will be made before the game to accommodate him on the roster. Mercedes, 20, will be assigned from Port Charlotte of the Florida State League to Cleveland’s Columbus club in the South Atlantic League.