| Player Search | ||
 | ||
 | |  |
| Height: 6-2
Weight: 230
Throws: R
Bats: L Born: Jun 12, 1974, Kanazawa, Contract: Signed through 2009. |
|
| Profile | Player News | Articles | Split Stats | Game Log | Eligibility | Player Comparison |
| 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 |
| Player Notes |
|
August 24, 2008 Hideki Matsui went 1-for-4 with a walk in the Yankees win over the Orioles. He also scored a run in his sixth game since coming off the DL. Our View:Matsui only hitting .182 since rejoining the team, but he does have two home runs. It's likely his batting average will improve in time, however. |
|
August 23, 2008 Hideki Matsui had a solo homer Saturday, his second in five games since returning from the DL. Our View:It's good to see Hideki show some pop right off the bat. |
|
August 21, 2008 New York's only run production Thursday night was off the bat of Hideki Matsui. His three-run homer in the seventh inning was all the Yankees could muster against Roy Halladay and the Blue Jays losing 14-3. Our View:Matsui, who returned Tuesday after missing 49 games due to a sore left knee, homered for the first time since June 12 at Oakland. |
|
August 19, 2008 Hideki Matsui went 0-for-3 with a strikeout in his first game back off the DL on Tuesday night. Our View:Fantasy owners shouldn't read anything into the hitless night. Most of the Yankees were flummoxed by A.J. Burnett, who tossed a gem. |
|
August 19, 2008 The Yankees have activated Hideki Matsui from the 15-day DL, MLB.com reports. The outfielder had been sidelined since June 22 due to a sore left knee. Our View:We expect Matsui to be limited to DH duties, which means Johnny Damon will need to go back into the outfield. Fantasy owners can feel free to use Matsui, although we're worried about his balky knee holding up. |
|
August 18, 2008 Manager Joe Girardi indicated that Hideki Matsui could be limited to a DH role when he is activated from the DL, according to the NY Daily News. His ailing knee has held up favorably in three rehab games, and he could be back in pinstripes as soon as Tuesday. Our View:Playing DH would help prevent his knee from swelling up again without the stress of running in the outfield. He could made a solid fantasy impact down the stretch, as he holds a .323 average over 69 games, with seven homers and 34 RBI. |
|
August 17, 2008 Manager Joe Girardi commented that Hideki Matsui should be activated from the DL Tuesday, according to the AP. Matsui had 15 at-bats during a simulated game at the Yankees’ spring training complex in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, facing left and right-handed pitching. Girardi said the swollen left knee that has hindered the rehab process several times seems to be holding up. Girardi added, "Every time he would get to bat, it would just blow up, but it hasn’t this time. So far the knee is good and we’ll make a decision tomorrow." Our View:Matsui is batting .323 with seven homers and 34 RBI over 69 games this season, and could provide a boost to fantasy owners down the stretch, if his knee allows. |
|
August 16, 2008 Hideki Matsui went 1-for-3 with a single in his second rehab game on Saturday. He has been out since June 22 due to a sore left knee. Our View:It sounds like the Yankees will push Matsui quickly if his knee responds well. He could be back next week and potentially help fantasy teams over the final five weeks or so. |
|
August 15, 2008 Hideki Matsui hit a solo homer Friday in his first minor league rehab game. Matsui is working his way back from a left knee injury. Our View:If all goes well, Hideki should be back before the end of the month. |
|
August 14, 2008 Hideki Matsui, who is on the DL with a swollen left knee, will begin a minor-league rehab assignment in Tampa today, according to the NY Daily News. Our View:It appears he is no longer at risk for season-ending surgery. Barring a setback, he could be back in pinstripes by the end of the month. |
|
August 11, 2008 Hideki Matsui, who is recovering from a swollen left knee, ran the bases for the first time Monday since being sidelined in late June by the injury, according to the Journal News. Our View:He could start playing in minor league rehab games soon, and feels he is making favorable progress every day. Matsui should remain stashed on fantasy rosters, and could provide a boost for the stretch run, as he was hitting .323 with 34 RBI over 69 games this season. |
|
August 9, 2008 New York Yankees designated hitter and left fielder Hideki Matsui intensified the running program for his injured left knee on Saturday and is believed to be nearing a rehab assignment in the minor leagues, according to CBSSports.com. Our View:Matsui, placed on the 15-day disabled list on June 27, ran 90 feet several times. He's expected to run the bases soon. That's one of the final steps before playing in minor league rehab games. Matsui had right knee surgery during the offseason, and decided not to have surgery on the left knee last month an effort to rejoin the Yankees this season. |
|
August 6, 2008 Hideki Matsui hit 37 pitches during batting practice at the Yankees facility in Tampa, Fla. Wednesday, according to the AP. Matsui, coming back from a left knee injury, is expected to begin a running program Thursday. Our View:Matsui still has a ways to go. We'll continue to monitor his progress. |
|
August 3, 2008 Hideki Matsui will head to Florida this week to continue his rehab on his swollen left knee, according to the Associated Press. “So far the brace has worked,” Girardi said. “Obviously, the activity he’s had isn’t really baseball activity.” Our View:Matsui has been riding a stationary bike and hitting off a tee, so he still has a long way to go before the team will know if he will be able to avoid surgery and be a productive bat in their lineup. |
|
July 29, 2008 Hideki Matsui restarted baseball activities Monday for the first time since the All-Star break and said his inflamed left knee felt fine afterward, according to the NY Post. He took 20 swings off a tee and five swings of soft-toss. "He's going to hit off a tee for a few days and see how it responds," GM Brian Cashman said, "and then if all goes well, then we'll take it up a notch." Our View:It looks like at this point Matsui will be able to avoid surgery, but his return is not imminent. |
|
July 28, 2008 Hideki Matsui hopes to return in two weeks according to MLB.com. He took 20 swings off a tee and five soft tosses before Monday night's series opener against the Orioles and afterwards said, "So far, it's looking pretty good." Our View:Matsui and his .323 average is badly needed in New York. Expect the same consistency from him once he returns. |
|
July 21, 2008 Yankees general manager Brian Cashman doesn't sound positive about Hideki Matsui returning from an injured left knee. The outfielder opted against surgery on Monday. "I wouldn’t say I’m optimistic at this point," Cashman tells Newsday. "I think it speaks a lot to his heart. The doctors looked at him and recommended surgery. He wants to give this another try." Our View:We don't know exactly what's wrong with Matsui's knee, but we have to assume the recommended surgery isn't minor. Fantasy owners shouldn't plan on Hideki helping them again this year. |
|
July 21, 2008 Hideki Matsui had his left knee examined again on Monday, and he has opted against surgery, ESPN.com reports. Our View:We can only assume that the suggested operation would have been season-ending. The Yanks don't have a secure timetable for Matsui's return, and this report adds doubt to how effect he will be when and if he does get back to the field. |
|
July 19, 2008 Hideki Matsui met with team doctors recently, according to MLB.com. The outfielder/DH said through an interpreter he had been told to "avoid activities and stay quiet" through the weekend. Matsui, who has had continued swelling in the knee, said the possibility of surgery was still "out there," though no timetable has been discussed. Our View:On Monday, Matsui will visit Dr. Scott Rodeo, who performed the arthroscopic surgery on Matsui's right knee last November. Following that appointment, the Yankees should have a better idea of Matsui's status. |
|
July 15, 2008 Hideki Matsui may undergo season-ending surgery on his right knee, which has kept him off the field since June 22, according to Yankees.com. Our View:This would be a blow to fantasy owners hoping to get him back in the season's second half. He had been posting quality numbers, with a .323 average, seven home runs, 34 RBI and an on-base percentage of .404. |
|
July 15, 2008 Hideki Matsui didn't hit Tuesday after experiencing more discomfort in his sore left knee, according to the AP. The Yankees had hoped he might be ready to return from the DL when eligible on Friday. Matsui said, "Perhaps you can say so, it’s a short-term setback. I’m going to hit tomorrow, that’s the plan anyway." Our View:There is no target date for when Matsui might begin a running program, which is a key step before playing in minor league rehab games. Should Matsui’s knee not respond, surgery could be an option. His goal remains avoiding surgery and returning to the Yankees. |
|
July 11, 2008 Hideki Matsui, who is recovering from a swollen left knee, may take batting practice on Saturday, according to the AP. He could also start a running program soon, and said (through a translator), "I think if everything goes well, then probably sometime the beginning of next week. As of right now, I’ve had no problems at all." Our View:He is also hopeful he won't need surgery this season for the ailing knee. We will keep you posted on his status. |
|
July 8, 2008 Hideki Matsui took 45 swings off a tee Tuesday, and he reported nothing negative after the session. "I felt pretty good," Matsui said through a team spokesman. "No pain. I hope to keep going in a positive direction." Still, Yankees manager Joe Girardi can't rule out the possibility of surgery, according to MLB.com. Our View:Surgery would be a terrible blow to the Yankees and fantasy owners. The Yanks have had some luck with minor league outfielders such as Brett Gardner, who's value would increase if Hideki cannot return this season. |
|
July 7, 2008 Team trainers noted that Hideki Matsui is making some progress in his recovery from a swollen left knee, but GM Brian Cashman suggested that playing the outfield would not be part of Matsui's rehab work, according to the NY Daily News. Our View:Although Matsui is improving, there remains no timetable for his return. When he does return, it sounds like he could be limited to DH duty. |
|
July 3, 2008 Hideki Matsui may be sidelined until after the All-Star break, according to the New York Daily News. Our View:It appears the Yanks will take their time with Matsui, but he should produce in the second half as they look to make a charge towards the playoffs. |
|
June 28, 2008 The Yankees hinted that Hideki Matsui could need surgery on his ailing left knee if it doesn't start feeling better. The slugger was placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday. Our View:Matsui hasn't played since injuring his knee in a mid-June interleague series against the Astros |
|
June 27, 2008 Updating a previous report, Hideki Matsui has been placed on the 15-day DL due to a sore knee, according to the AP. The team activated hurler Sidney Ponson as a corresponding move. Our View:Matsui aggravated his knee when he played the outfield in two games during the Yankees’ inter-league set against the Astros from June 13-15. |
|
June 27, 2008 Hideki Matsui will be placed on the disabled list after Game 1 of today's double-header at Shea Stadium, this according to LoHud.com. The Yankees plan to activate Sidney Ponson to start the second of the two-game tilt and moving Matsui to the DL will make room on the 25-man roster. Our View:There has been no news yet on Matsui's visit to the team doctor concerning his bum knee. The move will likely be retroative to June 15, the last day the Yankees' left fielder played. |
|
June 27, 2008 The New York Post is suggesting that Yankees' skipper Joe Girardi might shelf outfielder Hideki Matsui due to his bum knee. "You don't want it to come to that, but if it's in the best interest of the club, we will talk about it." Matsui said the knee is improving daily and feels that he could DH today in the first game against the Mets New York Mets at the Stadium. And he said he isn't that far away from returning to the outfield. He hasn't played there since June 15. Our View:Matsui,who is hobbled by a bothersome left knee, will be reexamined by a doctor today. Placing Matsui on the disabled list would also open a spot for the teams' spot starter for today's double-header against the Mets. That spot starter, Sidney Ponson. |
|
June 26, 2008 Hideki Matsui is out of the Yankees lineup on Thursday night due to a flare up with his injured knee, according to the Associated Press. Matsui will be reexamined on Friday when he could rejoin the lineup at DH or possibly be sent to the DL. “It’s always a possibility,” manager Joe Girardi said. “You don’t want it to come to that, but if we feel it’s in the best interests of him and the ballclub, that’s something we’ll talk about.” Our View:Matsui has sat out four games now, and with the Yankees without a day off until July 7th, they may not be able to continue to wait for Matsui to get healthy enough to contribute. Luckily for the club, Johnny Damon (foot) was able to return on Thursday. |
|
June 25, 2008 Hideki Matsui was not in the outfield mix this week because of his swollen left knee, this according to the New York Daily News. The Japanese import also awoke Tuesday with a stiff neck so he was removed from the pinch-hitting mix, too. Our View:Matsui's knee, which was drained of fluid last week, will prevent him from playing the outfield during this series. |
|
June 20, 2008 Hideki Matsui has missed the last two games with a sore knee, but that streak will end on Friday as he will be in the lineup to face the Reds, according to MLB.com. "He seems fine," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "He gave me a thumbs up when he came in today. Obviously he'll take BP, and I don't think there's any restrictions. Our View:Matsui will continue to be used as the designated hitter, a fact that should help him to keep the movement with his wonky knee to a minimum. |
|
June 19, 2008 Hideki Matsui is battling soreness in his left knee and is not in the starting lineup today, but could be available to pinch-hit against the Padres, according to MLB.com. Our View:He is expected to play on Friday at home against the Reds, but the team will continue to evaluate his knee. The Yankees will not have a DH option over six games from June 24-29 as they are on the road against the Pirates and Mets. |
|
June 18, 2008 Yankeee outfielder Hideki Matsui is out of tonight's lineup due to soreness in his left knee, according to MLB.com. Our View:Matsui said there is some inflammation, but he couldn't point to a specific instance when the pain started. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Matsui will meet with Dr. Stuart Hershon on Wednesday to look at the swelling and drain some fluid from the knee. We will update his condition as news comes forth. |
|
June 12, 2008 Hideki Matsui knocked in all four Yankees runs on Thursday night as he hit a grand slam off Joe Blanton in the Yankees victory over the Athletics, 4-1. Our View:Matsui has been his normal steady self this year hitting a very quiet .322, though he has knocked in only 33 RBI in 62 games. As his knee continues to strengthen, look for the extra base power to be kicked up a notch. |
|
May 22, 2008 Hideki Matsui has a good record against Brian Burres, tonight's opposing hurler for Baltimore, according to MLB.com. Matsui has hit two homers, a single, and forced two walks over 10 career plate appearances against the Orioles' lefty. Our View:Matsui is hitting well with a .297 average, and should have another solid outing at home tonight, going by his history against Burres. Keep him active in your lineups. |
|
May 20, 2008 Hideki Matsui has hit safely in 17-of-20 home games at Yankee Stadium this season, according to MLB.com. Our View:Matsui has multiple hits in four of his nine home games in May as well. Keep him active in your lineups tonight in the Bronx against Baltimore. |
|
May 18, 2008 Hideki Matsui had the Yankees only two RBI on Sunday night thanks to his sixth home run of the season. Our View:Tonight's home run was a majestic blast for Matsui who has been more of a small ball type hitter for most of the first quarter of the season. He sure turned on that high fastball tonight and blasted it into the night though. |
|
May 10, 2008 Hideki Matsui's 17-game hitting streak came to an end last night, as he went 0-for-4 against Detroit, according to the NY Daily News. Our View:Matsui is hitting .333 over 34 games this season, with four homers and 17 RBI and 14 runs scored. He is hitting well following a slow start, and while his RBI totals are low now, he will still have a chance to challenge 100 while playing in the Yankees' solid and efficient lineup. |
|
May 7, 2008 Hideki Matsui went 1-for-4 top extend his hitting streak to 16-games on Wednesday night. Our View:Matsui is now hitting .339 which has helped to offset a bit of a slow start with the power stroke (one home run in 18 games). Matsui will end up with his .300-25-100 season just like always, so just be patient. |
|
May 6, 2008 Hideki Matsui is locked in. The outfielder went 3-for-3 on Tuesday night and now owns a 15-game hitting streak. Matsui is up to .342. Our View:If the guys behind Matsui in the Yankees lineup weren't struggling so much, Hideki would probably have 25 runs by now. Anyway, fantasy owners should be enjoying the excellent average. |
|
May 1, 2008 Hideki Matsui had only one hit on Thursday night but it was enough to extend his hitting streak to 11-games. Our View:With machine like efficiency Matsui just keeps producing solid seasons of around .300-20-100. Even though he plays for the Yankees, he sometimes is lost in the fantasy universe because of the fact that he is surrounded by so many talented players. |
|
April 28, 2008 Hideki Matsui had two RBI in Monday's 5-2 win over the Indians. It was Godzilla's first game since Friday and allowed New York to earn a split of the four-game series after losing the first two. Our View:The Indians threw three consecutive left-handers at the Yankee bats. Cleveland manager Eric Wedge used Jeremy Sowers on Saturday, C.C Sabathia on Sunday and Aaron Laffey tonight, forcing Yanks skipper Joe Girardi to be creative with his lineup card throughout the weekend. |
|
April 28, 2008 Hideki Matsui is back in the Yankees lineup tonight after missing Saturday and Sunday's contests. Godzilla is hitting sixth and playing left field. Our View:The Indians are throwing their third consecutive left-hander, Aaron Laffey tonight, at the Yankees which has resulted in several creative lineups from manager Joe Girardi. |
|
April 15, 2008 Hideki Matsui hit his third home run of the season on Tuesday night as the Yankees defeated the Rays, 5-3. Our View:Matsui has been steady in April. His three home runs include five runs scored and eight RBI. |
|
April 14, 2008 Hideki Matsui has a good track record against Andy Sonnanstine, tonight's opposing hurler for Tampa Bay, according to MLB.com. Over his career against Sonnanstine, he is 3-for-8 with two homers. Our View:Matsui is hitting 14-for-41 so far, and should fare well tonight. |
|
April 7, 2008 Hideki Matsui had two hits and two RBI on Monday night for the Yankees. Matsui is now hitting .375 with six RBI though seven games as his knee hasn't gotten in the way of him spraying balls all over the field. |
|
April 6, 2008 Hideki Matsui went 3-for-4 with two RBI, and notably blasted his second homer of the season in a 2-0 win over Tampa Bay on Sunday. That was a great outing for him as he was only hitting 4-for-16 coming into today's game. |
|
April 1, 2008 Hideki Matsui is batting eighth for the Yankees tonight after never hitting lower than sixth for them last season. He was slowed this spring while recovering from knee surgery, so perhaps he'll be moved up in the order in due time. Manager Joe Girardi has said that Robinson Cano will stay in the sixth spot, so Matsui could possibly end up in the five spot (where Jason Giambi is hitting tonight) or the seventh spot (where Jorge Posada is hitting). Matsui is manning the DH spot until his knee feels good enough so that he can play the outfield. |
|
March 17, 2008 Hideki Matsui went 3-for-4 with three RBI against Boston on Monday. He continues to enjoy a solid spring with a .333 average (7-for-21). |
|
March 14, 2008 Hideki Matsui made his first appearance in the outfield Thursday and looked fine, even making a running catch in the second inning, according to the New York Daily News. Matsui underwent offseason knee surgery but should be fine for the opening day. |
|
March 9, 2008 Hideki Matsui returned to the New York Yankees' lineup, his spring debut Sunday. The team's designated hitter received his first live action and looks rusty in the process. Matsui was 0-for-3 with two groundouts and a flyout. |
|
March 9, 2008 Hideki Matsui is slated to make his spring debut on Sunday, according to the New York Daily News. "I'm ready," Matsui said. "I'm good." He'll DH Sunday in his first game action since undergoing knee surgery in November. He should also take part in Monday's game. |
|
March 6, 2008 Hideki Matsui was back in the cages on Wednesday taking batting practice for the first time since suffering a stiff neck last weekend. Matsui told the Daily News he is at about 80-90% strength and felt now pain in his neck. "I didn't swing 100%, but I felt pretty good," he said through his interpreter. Matsui said he expects to get in his first spring game by next week. Skipper Joe Girardi said it "might be a little sooner." |
|
March 5, 2008 Hideki Matsui took 33 swings in batting practice, the first time he has swung a bat since straining his neck on Saturday, this according to the AP. Matsui is also dealing with an injured knee that is a greater concern, though he is still on schedule to to make the opening day lineup, though he might need to DH at the start of the year. |
|
March 4, 2008 Hideki Matsui was unable to take batting practice for the second straight day Monday because of a stiff neck. "It's not a big deal," manager Joe Girardi told the NY Post of Matsui not taking BP. The outfielder is slated to start playing in games next Monday, and Girardi said the neck problem wouldn't alter those plans. "It won't slow him down when he gets in games," Girardi said. "Except for the cutting he looks good. I have watched him do cutoff and relays and there are no problems. I haven't seen anything to think he would have a setback." The neck isn't the issue with Matsui, it's his surgically repaired knee. At this point, he should be fine for opening day, but keep tabs on him to make sure he doesn't suffer any setbacks. |
|
March 3, 2008 Hideki Matsui is slated to take batting practice on Monday. He tweaked his neck two days ago and is still rehabbing his right knee. "The running is the important part, the cutting," manager Joe Girardi tells MLB.com about the knee. "And he's not having any problems. When I saw him the first day in Spring Training, I [said], 'Wow, he looks great.'" Matsui is expected to be ready for opening day. |
|
March 2, 2008 Hideki Matsui didn’t take batting practice Sunday due to a stiff neck. He may hit Monday, though, and could see his first game action this week, according to the AP. Matsui is coming back from offseason knee surgery. Matsui is behind the other hitters but should be up to full speed by the start of the season. |
|
February 24, 2008 Hideki Matsui said he is pleased with how his right knee has responded so far, according to the AP. The outfielder, who had surgery on his right knee last November, admitted earlier this month that he's not yet in game shape but expects to be by the end of spring training. Matsui isn't sure when he'll play in his first spring game, but he still expects to be ready for opening day. Call us pessimistic, but we'll still be keeping a close eye on Godzilla this spring to make sure he doesn't have any setbacks. |
|
February 14, 2008 Hideki Matsui admitted to MLB.com that although he hasn't returned to game shape quite yet, he expects to be there by the end of spring training. The outfielder admitted on Thursday that his running ability was affected over the last two months of the year due to pain in his right knee. "We still have about a month and a half until opening day," Matsui said through an interpreter. "That's a lot of time. I'm sure that by then, I should be feeling pretty good." Keep an eye on Matsui's progress this spring. Even if it turns out that he's ready by opening day, this could turn out to be a reoccurring problem. |
|
February 13, 2008 Hideki Matsui will meet with the Yankees medical staff today to determine what course of action will be taken with his surgically repaired right knee. The outfielder had surgery in November but has been experiencing some lingering soreness. He could be on a lighter program at the start of camp, according to the NY Post. |
|
February 12, 2008 Hideki Matsui may not be at full strength when position players report next week, according to the New York Daily News. The outfielder is slated to fly to Tampa today to talk to team doctors and trainers due to lingering soreness in his right knee. Matsui's knee began bothering him in late August last year, and he proceeded to hit just .185 in September. This is a definitely a situation worth monitoring. |