Minor Assignment A Major Struggle For Strawberry

If Darryl Strawberry is inspiring rookie players in the Gulf Coast League, it’s certainly not with his bat.

Strawberry was held hitless by four teenage pitchers Thursday as the Yankees beat the Blue Jays 8-4. He is 3 for 12 in four games since launching his comeback after a 60-day cocaine suspension.

Strawberry, 33, has two RBIs and one run scored with four strikeouts and three walks.

Dick Williams, overseeing Strawberry’s progress, said Yankees owner George Steinbrenner told him to “bring him along slowly; don’t rush him.”