NEW YORK (AFP) — New York Yankees slugger Hideki Matsui, nursing a knee injury, admitted after meeting with doctors on Friday that he wasn't sure if he would be able to return this season.
Matsui has been on the disabled list with a left knee injury since June 23.
"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 game against the Oakland Athletics. "My desire is I want to come back this year."
However, Matsui said, 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 Japanese import was having a stellar season prior to his injury, hitting .323 with seven homers and 34 RBI in 69 games.
Matsui said the injury was apparently similar to a right knee ailment which required surgery in the offseason.
That operation needed 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."
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