Hernandez

NEW YORK -- Just when the New York Yankees' pitching staff was starting to get back in order, Orlando Hernandez went on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained right elbow.

Hernandez, who missed a start last month because of the elbow, was bothered again in his start Thursday and the Yankees placed him on the DL Tuesday.

"I just know he doesn't feel right. He doesn't feel 100 percent," general manager Brian Cashman said. "His velocity was down the last outing and we saw the results. We need to step back and shut him down."

Hernandez, 8-7 with a 4.57 ERA, will undergo an MRI in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday. He also will have tests on his back, which bothered him earlier in the year. Tests done last month by two doctors showed no structural damage.

"I don't know to what degree I'm injured," Hernandez said through a translator. "But if I'm going on the disabled list they must think I'm hurt."

Hernandez had two strong outings after returning from the elbow injury -- including eight innings against the Mets on July 7. But he allowed eight runs and nine hits in 5 2/3 innings of an 11-9 loss to Florida on Thursday.

"It's the elbow again," manager Joe Torre said. "It just doesn't feel right. He'll have more tests to find out if anything else is going on."

The Yankees lost Hernandez again on the day Denny Neagle made his debut for the team. New York's pitching staff was ravaged by injuries last month, but the addition of Neagle in a trade with Atlanta and the healthy return of Roger Clemens appeared to smooth the situation out.

Now, questions about the team's pitching, which were rampant earlier in the season, have resurfaced with Hernandez hurt and David Cone still ineffective.

"We've been inconsistent because our pitchers haven't been here consistently," Torre said. "It's tough not being able to have the same guys out there every time, but we can still put five quality pitchers out there."

Cone will still be one of them despite posting only one win in 17 starts this season. Cone (1-8) has lost a career-high six consecutive decisions and has a 6.63 ERA, but Torre remains confident in the right-hander.

"I'm going to believe in this man until he decides he doesn't want to do it anymore," Torre said. "There is no player who has a bigger heart than David Cone. It hurts to watch because I know he's hurting."

Reliever Darrell Einertson was recalled from Triple-A Columbus to take Hernandez's place. Hernandez goes on the DL retroactive to July 14, so he will be eligible to return July 29.

Hernandez's injury moves Dwight Gooden back into the rotation. Gooden, traded by Houston and cut by Tampa Bay earlier this season, pitched five strong innings for the Yankees as a starter on July 8 against the Mets and 5 1/3 innings of relief on Sunday against Philadelphia.

He had been working on adjusting to a relief role, but the longtime starter should have little trouble moving back into the rotation.

"He can get unsettled in a hurry," Torre said. "This is a bonus for him after he was let go by Houston and Tampa Bay. All of a sudden he resurfaced with us very quickly."

Gooden will start Friday against Tampa Bay, which released him in May.

"It will be fun to get even with those guys," he said. "But more importantly I'm happy to be back in the big leagues and having fun."

Ramiro Mendoza, sidelined since June 25 with weakness in his right shoulder, will pitch in a simulated game in Tampa on Wednesday. He could be back in the majors during the Yankees' road trip that begins next week.

Mendoza had been starting most of the season but could return to the bullpen when he comes back.

"We told him we don't know what his role will be," Torre said, "because we don't know what the condition of our staff will be when he gets back."