It’s Nearly El Duke-Out in Fort Myers

Orlando Hernandez and Rickey Henderson seemed to forget it was only spring training.

Henderson hit a leadoff home run for the Boston Red Sox in their 8-7 loss to the New York Yankees Saturday in a split-squad game at Fort Myers, Fla. Henderson took a slow, wide shuffle out of the batter’s box, apparently angering the pitcher.

After Henderson flied out to end the second inning, the pair exchanged words as they passed while heading to their dugouts.

Hernandez then left the New York dugout, headed toward Henderson near home plate and had to be restrained by Yankee Manager Joe Torre. Henderson said that Hernandez, known as “El Duque,” cursed at him.

“I’m not a big home-run hitter, but when I hit them, I enjoy them,” said Henderson.

The 43-year-old Henderson, who holds the career record for homers leading off a game, said that if Hernandez doesn’t like the way he plays, “we’ll go play in the street.

“Probably when he was crawling around on his knees, I was playing baseball, unless he’s as old as I am--he probably is,” Henderson said. “Maybe he needs to grow up a little bit.”

Boston’s Pedro Martinez gave up homers to Juan Rivera, Robin Ventura and Shane Spencer, allowing six runs and six hits in four innings.

Martinez said his right shoulder, which caused him to miss much of last season, felt fine.

Yankee center fielder Bernie Williams missed the game because of a hamstring injury that is not considered serious. The team also said reliever Ramiro Mendoza probably won’t be ready to pitch by opening day because of upper back and neck stiffness.

*

Tim Hudson’s $6-million option for 2005 was exercised by the Oakland Athletics.

Hudson, who is to make $850,000 this year, $2.7 million next season and $4.55 million in 2004, went 18-9 with a 3.37 earned-run average last year and has a 49-17 career record with a 3.61 ERA. He has won at least 10 games in each of his three seasons, the first A’s pitcher to do so in nine years.

If the option had been declined, Oakland would have owed a $400,000 buyout.

*

In Scottsdale, Ariz., San Francisco Giant first baseman J.T. Snow left an exhibition game against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning after being hit by a pitch on the right elbow by starter Glendon Rusch.

Snow had an elastic bandage wrapped around the elbow and thought he would miss several days.

*

Rob Bell, who started 18 games and went 5-5 with a 7.18 ERA for Texas last season, was optioned by the Rangers to triple-A Oklahoma.... Mark Sweeney, an infielder-outfielder who hit .258 in 48 games for Milwaukee last year and is a .260 career hitter in seven seasons, signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres.... Robert Person, 0-1 with a 19.13 ERA in four spring starts, was picked to be the Philadelphia Phillies’ opening-day starter.... Another Phillie starting pitcher, former Dodger Terry Adams, retired the first 12 Tampa Bay batters he faced, extending his scoreless-inning streak to eight, then allowed four fifth-inning runs at Clearwater, Fla.