For the first time since before he went on the disabled list, Hideki Matsui took some swings yesterday. And he came through it pain-free.
The Yankee left fielder, out with an inflamed left knee that may require surgery, hit 45 balls off a tee in the batting cage.
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“I felt pretty good. No pain,” he said in a statement issued by the team. “I hope to keep going in a positive direction.”
It’s an encouraging development that Matsui has begun swinging, but manager Joe Girardi said surgery could still be needed.
“[It’s not eliminated] because obviously as you start to increase the workload, you have to see how his leg responds,” Girardi said.
GM Brian Cashman said the Yanks should know in a few weeks if Matsui will need an operation, which would be season-ending.
Johnny Damon has gone down to Tampa to rehab his left shoulder, with the hope that he can take swings next week. … Carl Pavano began throwing live batting practice yesterday, tossing 30 pitches. He’ll throw 30 more on Friday, then is slated for 45 on Tuesday. … Girardi believes young righty Phil Hughes can pitch here by early September. He’s currently playing catch.
Girardi on if he’s spoken to Alex Rodriguez about the slugger’s divorce mess: “That’s a personal matter that I choose not to talk about. But as the manager, it is my job and my responsibility to get the most out of all the players. And you have to do whatever it takes.”
Told yesterday that the American Mustache Institute has endorsed his All-Star candidacy, Jason Giambi replied, “Trying to bring it back. Just think – the Big G, an icon. A fashion icon.”
The Yanks will hand out Giambi replica mustaches to the first 20,000 fans today.