NEW YORK -- Yankees outfielder Darryl Strawberry remained in stable condition at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center on Tuesday following surgery to remove a tumor.

Strawberry talked to friends Tuesday and said he was in good spirits.

On Monday, doctors removed an "isolated tumor mass" near Strawberry's left kidney, saying in a statement that "evaluation ... supported the preoperative impression that there was no obvious distant spread of cancer," and "no evidence of any residual disease."

The surgery was performed at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center of New York-Presbyterian Hospital by a team that included Drs. Mitchell C. Benson, George J. Todd, Richard L. Whelan and Peter B. Schiff.

Strawberry previously underwent surgery for colon cancer in October 1998 after he was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer that had spread to one lymph node. Last January, Strawberry said a test indicated his colon was cancer-free

Yankees manager Joe Torre, who underwent cancer surgery last year, said Monday he would wait to talk to Strawberry until the player lets him know that he is feeling better.

"This helps you appreciate what you have today and not look too far down the road," Torre said of the mindset going into surgery. "You just want to enjoy every day here. For certain when you have a young child, that monopolizes your thinking."

Strawberry, 38, was suspended in February for testing positive for drugs and had hoped to have his suspension reduced and rejoin the New York Yankees this season. But then his cancer returned and an investigation began last month to see if he had violated his probation.

"He's made a lot of mistakes in his life and maybe he is paying for it right now," Yankees reliever Jeff Nelson said. "I hope he does well, his family does well. This is a tough time for everyone."

Strawberry forfeited his major league salary when he was suspended for one year in February for violating baseball's drug policy.

Citing economic problems, Strawberry left the Sobriety Clinic in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., after only 3½ months, saying he needed to support his wife and children.

Strawberry was ordered to meet with Hillsborough County parole officials last month after a Florida newspaper reported that Strawberry had been frequenting a strip club. Strawberry said he was there briefly to attend a bachelor party but denied consuming alcohol. Sports Illustrated published a photograph of him and a topless woman at Trapeze II, a Fort Lauderdale swingers club.