YANKEE NOTES

TAMPA — Joe Torre spoke via phone to Darryl Strawberry for five minutes yesterday and pledged his support to the troubled slugger, who will be suspended by Bud Selig tomorrow for not adhering to baseball’s substance abuse aftercare program.

“The only thing I did was try to encourage him. It’s very tough, especially sitting around waiting,” Torre said of Strawberry, who is not permitted to work out with the Yankees while awaiting Selig to announce what is likely to be a one-year ban with a chance to return sooner if Strawberry can stay drug- free. “Whatever the outcome is, you have to try and keep a positive outlook and make yourself busy.

“I called him to make sure he had all my [phone] numbers in case he wanted to talk.”

Asked what Strawberry’s mood was like, Torre said, “He sounded OK, not wonderful, but that’s understandable. He thanked me for calling and the support. He sounded a little uncomfortable, not in talking to me, but [as to] what his future is going to be.”

All five Yankee starters were slated to throw BP yesterday, but only four made it to the mound as Orlando Hernandez was shelved with a balky back.

“I am told it’s nothing I should be concerned about,” GM Brian Cashman said.

While Torre said El Duque will throw today, the pitcher wasn’t sure.

“I don’t know, maybe,” El Duque said when asked about pitching today.

During a break in yesterday’s workout at Legends Field, Derek Jeter saw George Steinbrenner standing at the rail of the dugout and joined The Boss for small talk.

Ten rows behind the dugout, a fan yelled, “Give him the money, George.”

Asked if he heard the request which drew laughs from the crowd, Jeter said he didn’t. So what did Jeter and The Boss talk about? Did Jeter’s contract situation come up?

“We didn’t talk about anything in particular,” Jeter said.

Ricky Ledee limped through outfield drills as well as batting practice with an in-grown nail on his big left toe.

“It’s been hurting for three days,” Ledee said.

Drew Henson, on spring break from Michigan where he is the Wolverines quarterback, will work out at Legends Field today following the Yankees’ practice.

Henson, who .hit 280 with 13 homers and 37 RBIs in 69 games for Tampa (Single-A) last year, has two years of football eligibility remaining. However, many believe if the 20-year-old third baseman concentrated solely on baseball, he could be in the big leagues inside of two years.

He is ticketed for Norwich (Double-A) this season.