YANKEE NOTES

A decision by Major League Baseball on Darryl Strawberry’s status probably won’t come forth until Tuesday at the earliest and his punishment is expected to be “light,” according to a baseball insider.

The Players Relations Committee first must discuss the Strawberry matter before giving its recommendation to commissioner Bud Selig, who then has the final say.

Strawberry, who pleaded no-contest to drug and soliciting prostitution charges Wednesday, received a sentence of probation.

He has been on an administrative leave since April 24 – time that will count toward what is expected to be much less than a season-ending suspension. According to the source, a light sentence will be handed down because Strawberry has passed all his drug tests.

*

Newcomer Tony Tarasco started in left field over the hot Chad Curtis last night. “I just wanted to give him a day out there,” Joe Torre said. “I told him before [Wednesday’s] game he was going to play. I want to get him involved. But after that game, I might’ve changed my mind because Chad’s doing a helluva job. He’s the one whose earned the job. He’s doing a lot of good things.”

Torre said LF Shane Spencer is still not 100 percent after contracting salmonella poisoning 11 days ago. “I’m trying to do as much as I can to show Joe I’m ready,” Spencer said.

*

Torre isn’t looking forward to the season’s first Yankee-Mets series next Friday. “I hate it,” Torre said. “It’s great for the fans. But I have to pick up my dry cleaning. Those are the people who torture you.” Mets scout John Stearns was at yesterday’s game. Yankees’ Gene Michael has tailed the Mets.