The Associated Press

TAMPA, Fla. - New York Yankees center fielder Bernie Williams is hoping to return next week from an injured left knee that has sidelined him for six weeks.

"In my mind, there is a big possibility of that happening," Williams said Thursday after his final workout at the Yankees' player development center.

"However, I think it's a decision that's out of my hands at this point. I'm just going to play each game and I'm going to try and push it as if I was in the big leagues. I'm not going to hold anything back," he said.

Williams, who had knee surgery May 27, will start a minor-league rehabilitation assignment today with Double-A Trenton.

Williams is scheduled to be a designated hitter in his first game with Trenton and then will play at least three games in the field.

The Yankees begin a six-game road trip Tuesday at Cleveland. New York then plays its final series before the All-Star Break, starting July 11 at Toronto.

Manager Joe Torre has said should Williams return before the break, it likely would be for the series against the Blue Jays.

"They're going to evaluate my progress and make a decision whether they want me to play on that turf in Toronto or whether they want to wait a little bit longer," Williams said.

ORIOLES: Baltimore placed left-hander Omar Daal on the 15-day disabled list and recalled Rick Bauer from Triple-A Ottawa.

Daal felt soreness in his left shoulder this week, and an MRI revealed tendinitis in his rotator cuff. He hasn't pitched since June 27, when he allowed three runs in three innings against Toronto.

"It's nothing serious," Daal said. "I feel bad because I won't help the team for 15 days, but I'm happy the MRI just showed tendinitis."

Signed as a free agent during the offseason, Daal is 4-10 with a 5.86 ERA in 16 games, including 15 starts. He was demoted to the bullpen after yielding eight earned runs and 10 hits over 2 2/3 innings in a loss to Toronto on June 23.

Bauer began the season with the Orioles, going 0-0 with a 5.03 ERA in 23 appearances for Baltimore.

ROCKIES: The team shut down its escalators at Coors Field for Thursday's game, one day after a three-story-high escalator apparently malfunctioned and tossed dozens of fans into a heap.

At least 32 people were injured, and nine remained hospitalized, authorities said. Assistant Fire Chief Larry Trujillo said most injuries were fractures, cuts and bruises, and none appeared to be critical.

TWINS: Right-hander Micheal Nakamura was optioned to Triple-A Rochester and right-hander Grant Balfour was called up to take his place in the bullpen.

Nakamura, a native of Japan who was raised in Australia, gave up 11 runs in 12 2/3 innings in his first stint in the majors. Balfour, a native of Australia, was 2-0 with a 1.47 ERA and five saves in 43 innings for Rochester.