Strawberry in Financial Trouble Again

Darryl Strawberry is to have a cancerous tumor removed from his stomach today in New York amid questions about his finances.

Strawberry, 38, has not made a child support payment to his former wife, Lisa--with whom he has two children--since Dec. 21, the New York Daily News reported.

Strawberry has no income or savings to support his current wife, Charisse, and their three children, and is not receiving any financial support from the Yankees.

“My understanding, from talking to Darryl and his agent, is that Darryl has some very difficult financial circumstances he has to deal with,” Marvin Goldklang, a minority owner of the Yankees told the Daily News. “There’s no question he has to earn money to support his family.”

Authorities in Los Angeles told the News that Strawberry owes his ex-wife $22,000 in back support for a 12-year-old daughter, Diamond, and a 15-year-old son, Darryl Jr. He is required to pay $3,186 a month.

“It’s very unfortunate that all of his problems seem to trickle down to me,” Lisa Strawberry told the newspaper. “He’s delinquent in all aspects. . . . I shouldn’t have to beg for my children to be taken care of.”

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An MRI exam showed that New York Met catcher Mike Piazza has a mild left knee sprain, and it will keep him out of the lineup for at least three days. Manager Bobby Valentine said Piazza might be able to pinch hit as early as tonight’s series opener at Houston. . . . The Cincinnati Reds acquired outfielder Brian Hunter from the Colorado Rockies for minor league pitcher Robert Averette. Hunter, 29, was hitting .275 with 15 stolen bases in 72 games for Colorado. . . . The Toronto Blue Jays, in need of help at second base, acquired Mickey Morandini from the Philadelphia Phillies for a player to be named later. Homer Bush, Toronto’s starting second baseman, is out until at least late September with a broken bone his left hand. Morandini, 34, hit .252 with 13 doubles and 22 RBIs in 91 games with the Phillies. . . . Cub pitcher Kerry Wood, bothered by a strained muscle, was put on the disabled list for the second time this season.

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Cincinnati Red bench coach Ken Griffey Sr. was taken to a hospital for observation after he became ill during a 9-6 loss to Florida. The Reds said Griffey felt mild chest pains during the game and was taken to Cincinnati’s Good Samaritan Hospital as a precaution.