From ESPN:
Hideki Matsui was held out of the New York Yankees’ lineup on Sunday, got his swollen knee drained and will likely miss at least one more game.
Manager Joe Girardi said after New York lost for just the second time in 14 games on Sunday, 10-3 to Seattle, that the designated hitter will have his surgically repaired knee reevaluated on Tuesday to see if the 35-year-old can play the second game of a series at Oakland. That’s New York’s next stop on its season-long, 10-game road trip.
“That is why we are careful with him, because he is really important to our lineup,” Girardi said.
Matsui has been a vital cog in the Yankees surge over the last six weeks, OPS’ing an amazing .967 in July and .982 in August. He has become the Yankees best protection for Alex Rodriguez, and is playing well against lefties and righties (slugging .619 against lefties). However, this injury illustrates why the Yankees are unlikely to bring Hideki back next season. This knee issue was dormant for months, and now came from nowhere to sideline Hideki. If the Yankees were in the midst of a close pennant race, this would be a lot more difficult to swallow. I doubt that Brian Cashman will want to plan for 2010 by depending on Hideki Matsui to play 130-140 games. Unless he is willing to take a major pay cut and possibly a more limited role (depending on his effectiveness, of course), 2009 is probably Godzilla’s last season as a Yankee.
What do you think? Would you bring him back?
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4 Responses to Matsui Has Fluid Drained From Knee
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TIQ IQ
This really sucks for Matsui, seemed like he was really finding a groove and now he has to deal with another set back, his knees are never going to let him hit .300 again. However. So no I wouldn’t bring him back, at this point he is an aging DH who can’t hit above .270 or play any position or run.
In a ultimate form of irony Justin Dushcherer will not come of the DL to start (perfect example of why you don’t trade for a guy like that) and Brett Tomko will make his first start fr the A’s against his old club. Now after having less than nice words on his departure it will be nice to see the Yankees bats crack Tomko open instead of watching him give a lead away not once but twice to the Marlins in Florida!
It’s a shame that players like Matsui have their playing days cut short. He is a good team mate, guy and player with bum knees. The old adage; “when the legs go, I go” is 100% right on. Without healthy wheels, a ball player (any sport) is dead meat.
Thanks but, no thanks for next year.
let matsui walk (if he can, haha) and resign damon for DH
Damon for permanent DH takes to many half rest days away from Alex, Jeter, Posada and Tex and having to put Johnny and that hole he carries in his glove in LF is torture to watch. Thanks, but no thanks let both Matsui and Damon walk!