Saturday, July 29, 2006
Matsui, Sheffield Update
New York Yankees left fielder Hideki Matsui is scheduled to have his injured left wrist re-examined Thursday in New York.
If the wrist shows enough progress, Matsui might be given a timetable for taking batting practice.
Matsui has been working out for the past week at the Yankees' Minor League complex in Florida.
After a scheduled off-day Friday, Matsui continued hitting off a tee and making soft throws Saturday. He also worked out in the outfield.
Matsui has experienced some soreness in his shoulders, but he said it's not a concern.
Matsui has been out since his breaking his left wrist while diving for a fly ball hit by Boston's Mark Loretta on May 11.
While the Yankees are reportedly still scouring the trade market for a big outfield bat, the man they're looking to replace has his sights set on reclaiming his spot.
Gary Sheffield was back in the Yankees clubhouse Friday after getting the cast on his left wrist removed Monday. While general manager Brian Cashman has said he has to operate as if the Yankees might not get his usual right fielder back this season, Sheffield is still aiming for a return on Sept. 1.
heffield has been running and lifting weights for the past few weeks and he will see Dr. Charles Malone on Monday to see if he can start swinging a bat. The original prognosis was that Sheffield would be out four to six weeks after getting the cast removed, making Sept. 1 likely the earliest possible time.
One concern is that the Minor League schedule ends in early September, meaning that rehab starts could be out of the question. Also, manager Joe Torre said Sheffield's violent swinging motion will require gaining more strength in the wrist than somebody else in the same position.
Sheffield, however, said the strength in his forearms and wrists have never been a problem and that he won't need rehab starts.
The Yankees have used a plethora of "role players," such as Aaron Guiel, Kevin Thompson and Bubba Crosby, since Sheffield went back on the designated list June 1. Sheffield said it was difficult for him to watch the team because the competitor inside made felt like he was letting the team down.
Posted by Steve Kenul at 4:09 PM
posted at 5:01 PM
I don't like Gary Sheffield. Blah.
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