El Duque still not ready to pitch for Yankees

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Orlando Hernandez's tired right arm felt better Saturday, but he's not sure when he'll be able to pitch again for the New York Yankees.

"I still don't feel as if I can help the team on the mound," El Duque said through a translator before Game 4 between the Yankees and the Minnesota Twins.

New York led the best-of-five division series 2-1.

Hernandez, coming off shoulder surgery in May 2003, won his first eight decisions after rejoining the Yankees at midseason, but he lost his final two and has been bothered by what he calls a "dead arm."

Manager Joe Torre had considered starting Hernandez for Game 4, but went with struggling right-hander Javier Vazquez instead.

Asked if he could be ready to start if the Yankees advanced to the ALCS against the Boston Red Sox, Hernandez said he didn't know.

"I don't have any pain, I just have to continue getting treatment and have faith," he said.