Strawberry Behind on Support Payments

Darryl Strawberry agreed to pay nearly $300,000 in overdue child and spousal support by June 24 to avoid criminal prosecution.

Under the agreement, the former Dodger will pay $10,000 a month after June 24 to make up an additional $194,912 he owes to his former wife Lisa and their children, Darryl Jr., 10, and Diamond Nicole, 7.

Terms of the agreement were presented to Los Angeles Municipal Court Commissioner Joseph Biderman by Strawberry attorney Brian Waite. Strawberry did not attend the hearing.

Strawberry, 34, who played for the New York Yankees last year before becoming a free agent, has been charged with willful failure to provide child support and failure to obey a court order.

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The American League said it is looking into an incident in which Cleveland outfielder Albert Belle was accused of throwing a baseball that hit a Sports Illustrated photographer.

“We’re tying to get information. We don’t have anything yet,” AL spokeswoman Phyllis Merhige said. “We do not have an official complaint.”

Cleveland confirmed Sunday that Belle threw a baseball that hit photographer Tony Tomsic before a game two weeks ago after the photographer angered Belle by taking his picture while he was stretching near the Cleveland dugout.

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Cincinnati right fielder Reggie Sanders will be sidelined three-to-five weeks because of a torn disk in his back. The Reds put Sanders on the 15-day disabled list and called up Chad Mottola from Triple-A Indianapolis. . . . Florida reliever Alejandro Pena’s career is in jeopardy because of a shoulder injury similar to one he sustained more than a decade ago. Pena, 36, plans to get a second opinion today on the rotator cuff tear discovered last week.

Alex Rodriguez, Seattle’s 20-year-old shortstop, was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained left hamstring. The Mariners recalled infielder Andy Sheets from Tacoma of the Pacific Coast League. . . . Milwaukee placed outfielder Chuckie Carr on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained right hamstring. To fill Carr’s spot, the Brewers recalled first baseman Tim Unroe from triple-A New Orleans.

Kevin Kennedy, acting on a promise that he would make changes to help end Boston’s horrendous start, demoted center fielder Dwayne Hosey to triple-A Pawtucket. Hosey, a rookie, was batting only .200 in 15 games and had been shaky in the field. Boston filled Hosey’s roster spot by recalling outfielder Alex Cole. . . . Colorado activated infielder Eric Young from the disabled list and sent infielder Pedro Castellano outright to the minors. Colorado also placed outfielder Harvey Pulliam on the 60-day disabled list. Pulliam has an injured right knee.

Right-hander James Baldwin was recalled by the Chicago White Sox from triple-A Nashville. Baldwin will take the place of pitcher Jason Bere, placed on the 15-day disabled list after developing tendinitis in his right elbow.