By GEORGE A. KING III
DUNEDIN — Hideki Matsui and the Yankees insist a stiff neck and a surgically repaired right knee arenât going to hold Matsui back from being ready for Opening Day. However, Matsui hasnât played in a game yet and today said it could be 10 days before he sees the field.
âI will play in another week or 10 days,” said Matsui, who didnât take batting practice for the second straight day due to the neck problem that surfaced Sunday when he was taking BP. âThatâs what I would see to be good.”
Matsui is hoping to take BP tomorrow but understands the call will be made by trainer Gene Monahan, who may opt to wait until Thursday.
âMy personal feeling it might be tomorrow but the trainers have to decide,” Matsui said. â(The neck) is much better.”
Joe Girardi refuses to say that the neck has put Matsui behind schedule.
âItâs still not a setback,” Girardi said. âHe will play next week, sooner next week than later.”
Itâs likely that Matsui, who was limited to sprints, jogging and stretching yesterday, will be the DH when he returns.
