Strawberry Fails Drug Test Again

New York Yankee outfielder Darryl Strawberry tested positive for cocaine on Jan. 19 and might be suspended from baseball again.

A high-ranking baseball official, speaking on the condition he not be identified, said Tuesday the commissioner’s office is investigating and a decision whether to take disciplinary action likely would be made by Thursday at the latest.

Strawberry is tested at least twice a week as part of his no-contest plea on May 26 to charges of cocaine possession and soliciting a prostitute. He was sentenced to 18 months of probation and 100 hours of community service.

The official did not say what disciplinary action the sport was likely to take against Strawberry. But given his past penalties, a suspension that would last most if not all of this season appears likely. Rich Levin, the spokesman for Commissioner Bud Selig, declined comment.

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Pete Rose isn’t worried Selig already may have decided to reject his petition for reinstatement.

“I’ve seen people change their minds. You have to give them reasons to change their minds,” Rose said.

Rose applied for reinstatement in September 1997 but the commissioner hasn’t ruled. His lawyers met Jan. 27 with Selig’s top lawyer, Bob DuPuy, who gave them 30 days to submit additional information.

Last week, Selig told a speaking engagement: “Pete did accept a voluntary lifetime suspension from Dr. (Bart) Giamatti. There hasn’t been any new evidence since then. “

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Atlanta Brave first baseman Randall Simon wondered if he could ever be teammates again with John Rocker after allegedly being called a “fat monkey.” Some people suggested Simon take a punch at the outspoken reliever.

Eventually, Simon decided one word would make things right.

“I want him to say he’s sorry,” Simon said Tuesday after arriving at the Braves’ spring training complex. “I’m willing to forgive him if he comes to me and apologizes for what he said.”

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Florida Marlin reliever Dan Miceli made up a story about a bar fight to explain minor injuries to his pitching hand and elbow, which instead resulted from a confrontation with his brother.

When Miceli reported for spring training with his new team Monday in Melbourne, Fla., he had five stitches in his right hand and two in his right elbow. He told the team, his agent and reporters he was hurt Thursday when a barroom dispute concerning his wife escalated into an exchange of punches before someone pulled a knife on him.

But police in Winter Springs, where Miceli lives, say he hurt himself in a predawn fight Friday with his brother, Richard, 31, who was charged with battery domestic violence, a misdemeanor. Dan Miceli, 29, wasn’t charged.

“He felt it was a family situation, and he was embarrassed that it took place,” General Manager Dave Dombrowski said.

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The Braves dipped into the past in their search for a fifth starter, signing Steve Avery to a minor league contract. Avery, 29, was 6-7 with a 5.16 earned-run average for the Cincinnati Reds. . . . Alex Rodriguez says the Seattle Mariners shouldn’t even think about offering him a contract extension this spring. “I’m pretty firm on that,” said the all-star shortstop, who is eligible for free agency after the season.

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Mark McGwire arrived at spring training Tuesday and liked what he saw--or didn’t see. There were only a dozen reporters, not 100.

“This is the way it should be,” the St. Louis Cardinal slugger said. “Let Ken Griffey deal with it this spring.”