Yankees’ Roster Is Far From Set

Darryl Strawberry has a broken toe but says he can play. Kenny Rogers says he is sound, but he may be dropped from the New York Yankees’ World Series roster.

Three days before the start of the Series, Yankee Manager Joe Torre still had some major decisions to make.

“I expect to play,” Strawberry said Wednesday after taking batting practice for the first time since he was hurt in Sunday’s American League clincher. “I expect to strap on the uniform and have me some fun, just like I’ve been doing.”

While X-rays didn’t reveal a break, team physician Stuart Hershon said a CT scan taken Wednesday morning showed a small break at the top of Strawberry’s right big toe. Strawberry limped slightly as he walked from the Yankee dugout to the outfield to stretch.

“Over the next several days he should improve,” Hershon said. “I think we have a good chance he’ll be able to play.”

Torre sounded much less hopeful about Rogers, hit hard against both Texas and Baltimore. He said Rogers had trouble lifting his arm to the proper release point.

“I have to make a decision on how well he can pitch in his present physical condition,” Torre said.

Torre plans to pitch Andy Pettitte and David Cone in the first two games, though he hasn’t set their order. Jimmy Key will pitch Game 3 at Atlanta or St. Louis.