Yankees, Astros Discussing Alou Deal

While Jose Vizcaino joined the Yankees on Wednesday, the team stepped up its pursuit of two players whose names hadn’t been at the top of New York’s wish list: Moises Alou and Jose Lima.

The Yankees and Houston Astros were discussing such a deal and proposing various combinations, according to a pair of Yankee officials who spoke on the condition they not be identified.

To land Alou, a power-hitting outfielder, and Lima, a pitcher who has slumped badly this season, the Yankees probably would have to part with outfielder Ricky Ledee, top infielder Alfonso Soriano and a top minor league pitching prospect, one of the Yankee officials said.

Alou is hitting .312 with 10 homers and 27 RBIs. Lima is 1-10 with a 7.07 ERA.

Also, the Yankees learned Wednesday that Orlando Hernandez will miss one start because of a sprained right elbow that put him on the sidelines after just two-thirds an inning in his last outing.

*

Rey Ordonez of the Mets, their three-time Gold Glove-winning shortstop, is out for the season because his broken left forearm is not healing properly.

Ordonez was expected to be back by the All-Star break. But a checkup revealed the bone is not healing properly, and Ordonez will need a plate and screws inserted into his arm.

The bone, which was bent at a five-degree angle when it was broken, is now bent between 10 and 15 degrees, necessitating the operation.

*

Texas left-hander Darren Oliver will miss at least two starts after being put on the 15-day disabled list because of weakness in his left shoulder.