El Duque will meet with Doctor

Monday, June 19th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

BOSTON (AP) â€” New York Yankees pitcher Orlando Hernandez, diagnosed with a sprained right elbow after a disastrous start, will meet with prominent orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews on Wednesday.

``He wanted a second opinion,'' Yankees manager Joe Torre said before Monday night's game against Boston. ``I can understand that. It's his career.

``Right now, we're not thinking disabled list,'' Torre said.

Hernandez, MVP of the AL championship series last October, had been one of the few constants in the Yankees' rotation this season until recently.

On Sunday, El Duque recorded only two outs and gave up nine runs in New York's 17-4 loss to the Chicago White Sox. The loss dropped Hernandez to 6-6 with a 4.65 ERA in 14 starts.

Hernandez did not travel with the team to Boston after the defeat. Instead, he went to Beth Israel North hospital, where X-rays and an MRI test revealed the injury.

Andrews is based in Birmingham, Ala., and was not known when Hernandez planned to rejoin the Yankees.