MLB

‘ROUTINE’ CHECK FOR MATSUI

TAMPA – Hideki Matsui stopped by the Hospital For Special Surgery yesterday in Manhattan to have a surgically repaired right knee examined by Dr. Scott Rodeo, who performed the operation in November.

“It was routine,” GM Brian Cashman said before getting the results of Matsui’s exam. “We weren’t aware of anything bothering him.”

According to Cashman, Matsui had scheduled the exam in advance and will arrive in Tampa today (nine days ahead of schedule) to talk to the Yankees’ medical staff.

Prior to leaving Japan for New York earlier this month Matsui told Japanese reporters that the knee wasn’t 100 percent and that he wasn’t sure he would be ready for the start of spring training.

“Since he had surgery we will take it easy at the beginning of spring training,” Cashman said.

Matsui batted .285 with 25 homers and 103 RBIs in 143 games. He was used as the DH in 32 games because the knee problem limited his mobility in the outfield.

This season, the third of a four-year deal worth $52 million, the 33-year-old Matsui will compete against Johnny Damon for playing time in left field and with Jason Giambi for at-bats from the DH spot.

In the four years he has played full seasons (Matsui was limited to 51 games in 2006 because of a fractured wrist) Matsui has averaged 108 RBIs and is a .296 hitter in the clutch although he slipped to .247 with runners in scoring position a year ago.

george.king@nypost.com