Canseco gets job; Strawberry gets offer

Jose Canseco better begin breaking in his outfielder's glove.

Canseco, who's spent his entire career in the AL and primarily been a DH in recent years, signed a minor league contract with the Montreal Expos on Tuesday and was invited to camp.

Darryl Strawberry also got a job offer -- to become a player development coach with the New York Yankees after completing court-mandated drug treatment.

Tim Hudson had the scariest moment at spring training. The Oakland ace sprained his left ankle during a fielding drill and was taken to a hospital for X-rays.

"As of now, I think I'll be fine," Hudson said. "I've twisted my ankle before and it's been little worse than it is now. But I got a scare. It was definitely a shock at first. You never know how bad the sprain is until you get it looked at."

Canseco, 37, is expected to join the Expos for their first full-squad workout Thursday at Jupiter, Fla. He ranks 22nd on the career home run list with 462.

"He was a free agent and was available, so I thought he was worth trying," Expos general manager Omar Minaya said. "He is a veteran player, a power hitter who still has incentive since he is trying to reach the 500-home run mark."

Canseco signed last June with the Chicago White Sox and hit 16 home runs with 49 RBIs while batting .258 in 256 at-bats.

In the last three seasons, Canseco has played just 13 games in the field. He made two appearances in the outfield last season.

A six-time All-Star and former Rookie of the Year and MVP, he has played for Oakland, Texas, Boston, Toronto, Tampa Bay, the Yankees and the White Sox.

Strawberry, who once was on the path to 500 home runs, was offered a spot by New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner.

"He will join me," Steinbrenner said in Tampa, Fla. "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.

Steinbrenner has been monitoring the progress of the eight-time All-Star, and said he deserves another opportunity.

The position likely would involve working with minor league players at the Yankees' complex in Florida.

At Phoenix, Hudson hurt himself while fielding a ground ball and running toward first base.

Hudson, 49-17 lifetime in the majors, was driven off the field on a motorized cart and taken to a training room. His ankle was put into a protective splint.

The 26-year-old righty was 18-9 with a 3.37 ERA last year.