01:00 AM EDT on Sunday, July 11, 2004

Orlando Hernandez probably will return to the New York Yankees sooner than expected.

There is a strong possibility El Duque will start for the Yankees today against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in place of Mike Mussina, a team official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

Mussina still felt some soreness yesterday after pitching on three days' rest Tuesday night against the Detroit Tigers. It was Mussina's idea to go on short rest so he could make two starts before the All-Star Game and avoid a long layoff before his first start after the break.

But the move may have backfired. Now Mussina (9-6) might not be able to make that second start, ensuring a lengthy layoff and creating an opportunity for El Duque.

Hernandez was scratched from his scheduled rehabilitation start yesterday for Triple-A Columbus, and the Yankees made travel plans for him to come to New York. If he arrives in time and feels ready to pitch, he probably would start today, the official said.

It would be Hernandez's first major league appearance since 2002. He spent last year on Montreal's disabled list, missing the entire season after getting hurt in spring training.

The right-hander had shoulder surgery in May 2003 to repair a small tear in his rotator cuff. He returned to the Yankees in March, signing a $500,000, one-year contract.

ROUNDUP ALI HAS ALL-STAR ROLE: Muhammad Ali will help throw out the first pitch during pregame ceremonies at Tuesday's All-Star game. Ali, accompanied by his son Asaad, 13, will deliver two baseballs to the mound, where two members of the Houston-area Boys & Girls Club will throw out the ceremonial first pitches. Ali, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, is an alumnus of the Boys & Girls Club of Louisville, Ky.

WESTBROOK REPLACES SCHILLING: Indians right-hander Jake Westbrook was added to the American League All-Star team yesterday replacing Boston's Curt Schilling. Westbrook was invited because he was next on the list of voting by players, coaches and managers. Pedro Martinez was first invited to replace Schilling, who wants to rest a deep bone bruise in his right ankle, but declined. Westbrook began this season in the bullpen, but got a chance in the starting rotation shortly after pitching seven perfect innings in relief April 19 against Detroit -- retiring all 21 Tigers he faced and striking out seven.

EX-DARTMOUTH COACH DIES: Ulysses J. "Tony" Lupien Jr., a major league baseball player in the 1940s and coach at Dartmouth College, has died in Vermont after several years of declining health. He was 87. Lupien died Friday at his home, the school said. He played first base with the Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox, batting .268 during his six-season career. In 1956, Lupien was hired by Dartmouth to be its baseball coach. During 21 seasons, Lupien guided his teams to a 313-305-3 record. His teams won the Eastern Intercollegiate League championship four times (1963, 1967, 1969-70).

EXPOS' VIDRO OUT AGAIN: Montreal Expos second baseman Jose Vidro was out of the lineup for yesterday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the fourth consecutive game he's missed because of a sore right knee. Expos manager Frank Robinson said Vidro will also sit out today, Montreal's last game before heading into the All-Star break. It will also be the last Expos game this season in Puerto Rico.

BAD LUCK DOGS PONSON: Nothing has gone right this season for Sidney Ponson, who missed the chance to end his nine-game losing streak against the woeful Kansas City Royals because of a groin injury. Ponson (3-12) was scheduled to start yesterday against the Royals, who have the worst record in the American League. Scratched in favor of Daniel Cabrera, Ponson won't pitch again until after the All-Star break. Ponson was signed as a free agent in January and assigned the role as ace of the staff, but he's gone 1-12 since April 20 and leads the majors in losses. His E.R.A. is 6.29.