Report: Matsui opts for rehab

Jul 22, 2008 - 11:19 AM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Hideki Matsui hasn't given up on returning to the New York Yankees this season.

According to an article posted late Monday on the New York Daily News' web site, Matsui will try one more time to rehab his ailing left knee before undergoing season-ending surgery.

Matsui on Monday visited Dr. Scott Rodeo, the same doctor who performed the arthroscopic surgery on his right knee last November, and decided to give rehab yet another opportunity to correct his knee injury, which has kept him out of action since June 22.

Matsui, who has had his knee drained four times already this season, will have to undergo surgery eventually but won't miss any of the 2009 season if he waits to have the procedure after this campaign.

"To a certain extent, it was up to me as far as what I wanted to do," Matsui told the Daily News through an interpreter. "I'm going to try one more time, so depending on how things progress during that time, it will be the deciding point of whether I can be a force for the team or not."

General manager Brian Cashman told the newspaper that he isn't optimistic the 34-year-old left fielder will return this season, noting that doctors have recommended surgery.

"I think it speaks a lot to his heart," Cashman told the paper. "He wants to fight through it and give it another shot and there is no harm in doing that. It's not going to make it any worse. He wants to see in what way he can help this club and he doesn't want to give up on the season yet. How can you deny that?"

Johnny Damon, who rejoined the Yankees on Monday after returning from his first career stint on the DL due to an injured right shoulder, is likely to continue playing left field in Matsui's absence.

Matsui is the second Yankee that could face season-ending surgery after catcher Jorge Posada was placed on the DL Monday due to a sore right shoulder and is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Tuesday.