Matsui may need knee surgery
NEW YORK: 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 .
Matsui, 34, who is on the disabled list, will be examined in New York by the team's doctor on Friday.
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."
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 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.
Agencies
(China Daily 07/17/2008 page23)
