Yankees OF Matsui activated from the DL

Apr 23, 2007 - 10:55 PM ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (Ticker) -- New York Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui was activated from the 15-day disabled list on Monday.

Matsui, who had been sidelined with a strained left hamstring since April 7, will start in left field Monday and bat sixth against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Matsui, 32, missed four months last season after breaking his left wrist on May 11. The Japanese left fielder had played in 518 consecutive games with the Yankees before suffering the wrist injury.

A two-time All-Star, Matsui lasted just four games this season before once again landing on the DL. He suffered the hamstring strain while running out a ground ball in the second inning of a contest against the Baltimore Orioles on April 7.

Matsui is batting .250 (3-for-12) with three RBI this season. The news of his return could not come at a better time for the Yankees, who are reeling after suffering a three-game series sweep this past weekend to the rival Boston Red Sox.

To make room for Matsui on the active roster, the Yankees optioned rookie lefthander Chase Wright to Class AA Trenton. Wright went 1-0 with a 7.88 ERA in two starts this past week. He struggled Sunday against the powerful Red Sox, yielding four consecutive solo homers in the third inning of a 7-6 loss.