PORT ST. LUCIE — Lenny Dykstra is out of the intensive care unit and resting at a Los Angeles hospital after suffering a stroke earlier this week, according to former Mets teammates.
Darryl Strawberry and Kevin Mitchell told The Post on Thursday they had spoken to the 61-year-old Dykstra a day earlier, and the former center fielder was in good spirits and awaiting further evaluation at UCLA Medical Center after his removal from ICU.
A third former Mets teammate said Dykstra rated himself an 8.5, on a scale of 1 to 10, on Thursday.
“He knew it was me, so that is always a good sign,” Strawberry said. “He’s in the process of recovering.”
Mitchell has remained close to Dykstra, his teammate from the Mets’ last World Series-winning team in 1986.
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Mitchell said Dykstra’s colorful personality came through in their latest conversation.
“He’s laying down, but he is being Lenny,” Mitchell said. “We get to an age now where we have got to take care of ourselves. I told him he has to take more care of himself. You can’t let stress bother you. He’s been through a lot. I love him with all my heart.”
Dykstra’s personal demons have run deep since his retirement. Included was getting charged with grand theft auto in 2011 before pleading guilty to bankruptcy fraud a year later.
Dykstra faced third-degree terroristic threats after threatening to kill an Uber driver in 2018. He pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and the charges were dropped.
“I worry about a lot of guys that I have played with, what’s happening with them and he’s one of those guys,” Strawberry said. “He’s a special friend and I will never turn my back on him and say negative things about him because his life has had some challenges. We’ve all had challenges.
“I think a lot of times people look at a person and say, ‘Look at what happened to him.’ It’s not for us to judge people. If you are not trying to help the situation it’s better to not say anything. That is clearly what I believe.”
Mitchell said it’s likely Dykstra will remain hospitalized at least into next week.
“He’s in a position where he can get better,” Mitchell said.
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