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NEW YORK — Aside from winning the American League East, one of the other things on Joe Torre's mind has been how to fit Bernie Williams into the Yankee lineup. With the recent addition of Bobby Abreu in the outfield and Craig Wilson at first base, Williams, along with Andy Phillips, have been the two left out of the lineup.

Although Torre says Williams, who has sat out the last two nights, will play this week against Baltimorewhen either Abreu or Damon take a night to DH, the manager has been up front with the veteran outfielder and has told him it's been a struggle to find him playing time.

"That's the toughest thing for me right now, figuring out some kind of regular work for him," Torre said. "Bernie and I talked about it the other day and I said to him, 'Just give me some time to get the lay of the land.'

"Bernie is the one that's kind of up in the air right now. He's come in and asked me and wanted to get my thinking, and I told him, 'I'm trying to formulate that right now.' And he accepts that."

While Torre is still trying to fit Williams into the regular-season plans, he told Phillips he is back in a "support role," one the 29-year-old first baseman has struggled to get out of the past two years. Phillips has also sat the last three games and has just six hits in his last 38 at-bats.

JETER: MVP?
Derek Jeter may not have the power numbers that an MVP candidate or winner traditionally has, but the shortstop is certainly making an argument for himself and his manager has his back.

Jeter, second in the AL with a .343 batting average, has hit safely in 20 of his last 22 games and is coming off a July where he hit .412 (42-for-102). It's these numbers that have prompted Yankee fans to chant "MVP" on a regular basis in the Bronx.

"If people are paying attention, I think they have to consider him," Torre said. "Can he win it? I don't see why he shouldn't be able to win it. I think it's how valuable somebody is to their team and where does that team go.

"He doesn't have as many home runs as he's had a time or two, but his production numbers... they're as good now as they've every been, if not better."

FRIDAY AT FENWAY
Chien-Ming Wang will kick off the five-game series against the Yankees at Fenway Park Friday afternoon in the first game of a day-night doubleheader. The Yankees hope to start the weekend on the right foot with a victory, but despite Wang's impressive 13-5 record, he isn't exactly the poster pitcher to make that happen. In three career starts at Fenway, Wang is 0-2 with a 6.62 ERA and the Red Sox have hit .279 against him.

Wang acknowledges his troubles at Fenway, but hasn't been able to identify the problem or the solution. The right-hander also denies the pressure of the rivalry and that the fans have contributed to his lack of success.

"I'm not sure he's oblivious," Torre said. "He's pretty into it. I know he knows how important things are. I think he just has a calm demeanor. He's really no different then the first day we met him. It's tough to really judge how excited he is because he just doesn't show it that much."

If Sidney Ponson isn't used against Baltimore, he will most likely start Game 2. While Ponson quickly adjusted to New York and the Yankees' clubhouse, after just four appearances in his new uniform, it will be the right-hander's first taste of the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry.

"I'll take the ball anytime they want to give it to me," Ponson said. "But I'm looking forward to being a part of the rivalry. Every game is important at this point in the season."

Whether or not Ponson is used, Torre said he and Brian Cashman have had conversations about bringing up another pitcher for the weekend series.

"We don't know that yet," Torre said. "But we've talked about it. Sidney right now seems to be the likely guy to pitch the second game of that doubleheader, but again we have three games here.

"If we need Sidney to help us win a game here, we won't hesitate to use him, which means we will need another starter. Cash is certainly thinking about it. You still have to be ready to pull the trigger quickly. Cash is certainly not asleep at the switch, I can tell you that right now."

NOTES
Tanyon Sturtze was present in the Yankee clubhouse before the start of the game. The right-hander feels "good" and said he has watched every Yankee game since his shoulder surgery back in May. ... Octavio Dotel pitched one inning — 12 pitches, eight for strikes — Monday night for Triple-A Columbus against Norfolk and notched one strikeout. "Dotel did real well," Torre said. "He's getting close." Dotel will most likely throw one more rehab game or make back-to-back appearances before joining the Yankees, but Torre still isn't sure how the right-handed reliever will be used. ... Also on the mend and showing significant improvement, Carl Pavano faced 13 batters over four innings for Class-A Tampa, throwing 56 pitches — 37 for strikes, and striking out five. ... Torre called principal owner George Steinbrenner about 15 minutes before the start of Monday night's game "just to say hello."