Injury status grim for Yankees LF Matsui

Jul 19, 2008 - 1:57 AM BRONX, New York (Ticker) -- After meeting with doctors earlier Friday, New York Yankees left fielder Hideki Matsui will be banned from baseball activities this weekend and be re-evaluated on Monday.

Matsui, who has been on the disabled list with a left knee injury since June 23, is uncertain if he will be able to come back this season.

"As of right now, I've been putting aside whether I can or cannot come back this season," Matsui said through an interpreter during Friday's contest against the Oakland Athletics. "My desire is I want to come back this year."

However, if he needs surgery on the knee, a return may not be possible.

"I think the topic (surgery) is out there," Matsui said. "We just haven't discussed details. The swelling kept coming back. So, right now, I was told by doctors, 'Avoid activities and stay quiet.'"

The 34-year-old Matsui was having a stellar season prior to his injury, hitting .323 with seven homers and 34 RBI in 69 games. But he may not be able to return for the Yankees, who also have been without outfielder Johnny Damon.

Matsui, for his part, did not sound optimistic, referring to the injury as similar to a right knee ailment which needed operation in the offseason. That surgery required months of rehabilitation and another procedure likely would place him out of the lineup for the remainder of the campaign.

"I was told it's similar to what happened with my right knee," Matsui said. "In that sense, it would be an arthroscopic procedure. I guess the recovery time would probably be similar to the right knee."