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Yankees’ Matsui could be out longer than first expected

New York Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui could be forced to undergo season-ending surgery on his swollen left knee, the team’s general manager Brian Cashman said on Tuesday.

Matsui, 34, who is on the disabled list, will be examined in New York by the team’s doctor tomorrow.

Cashman described Matsui’s condition as “discouraging” and suggested the Japanese outfielder’s season could be over.

“I can’t tell you that we’re there yet but we’re getting close,” Cashman said. “At some point, you run out of options. The last resort is the surgery. How close to that, we’ll get a better idea Friday.”

“Perhaps you can say so, it’s a short-term setback,” Matsui said through a translator at the Yankees’ minor league complex.

There is no date for when Matsui might start a running program, a key step before playing in minor league rehab games.

“At this point right now, it’s hard to say,” Matsui said. “You try, believing that you’re going to be able to go back this season. If it comes to the point where I have to decide surgery, then that’s that.”

Matsui, who has had the knee drained of excess fluid at least twice already this season, was hitting .323 with seven home runs and 34 RBIs, though has not played since June 22.

Cashman was asked before Tuesday’s All-Star Game if the absence of Matsui would prompt him to try to add a slugger, such as the unemployed Barry Bonds.

“I would say any rampant speculation on us involving a player of that magnitude would be extremely premature,” Cashman told reporters.

Yankee third baseman Alex Rodriguez said that losing Matsui “could be a huge blow.”
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