Strawberry Might Be Coach

George Steinbrenner has not given up on Darryl Strawberry.

The New York Yankee owner said Tuesday the troubled former outfielder will be offered a job as a player development coach after completing court-mandated drug treatment.

“He will join me,� Steinbrenner said. “He will come with us. He knows he has a place to go.�

Strawberry was sentenced May 18 to two years’ house arrest at a rural Florida drug treatment center.

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The Minnesota Twins reached a late agreement with Torii Hunter on a $2.4-million, one-year contract, avoiding arbitration with the Gold Glove center fielder.... The New York Yankees signed Jim Leyritz to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.... Pitcher Ed Vosberg agreed to a minor league contract with the Montreal Expos and was invited to spring training.... Francisco Campos, 29, who pitched for Mexico in the recent Caribbean World Series, signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers.... Pitcher Dennys Reyes won his salary arbitration case against the Colorado Rockies and will get $900,000 this season. It was the first arbitration case in Rockies’ history, and it was the owners’ first loss in three arbitration cases this year.... Reliever Scott Williamson avoided arbitration by accepting the Cincinnati Reds’ offer of a $400,000 base salary for 2002.

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Oakland pitcher Tim Hudson sprained his left ankle during fielding drills at spring training and was taken to a hospital for X-rays.

Hudson was driven off the field on a motorized cart and taken to a training room. His ankle was put into a protective splint.

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Hall of Famer Dave Winfield was hired as a vice president and senior advisor of the San Diego Padres, the club with which he started his major league career.

Winfield, 50, has been a member of the Padres’ board of directors for nearly two years and went into the Hall of Fame last summer with a Padre cap.