YANKEE NOTES

ARLINGTON – Jason Giambi knows why most of the balls he hit recently went straight up instead of over fences: a barking left knee.

“My knee has been bothering me,” Giambi said of the hinge that underwent surgery following the 2004 season. “That’s why I have been popping everything up, I have no backside. It’s a little sore.” Giambi, who lugged a 4-for-28 (.143) slump to the plate last night, popped up three times Tuesday night.

Giambi played two of the four games on Toronto’s turf at first base.

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Speaking of knee problems, Yankees manager Joe Torre will have a lubricant shot into his left knee today.

Torre, who wears a bulky knee brace, is suffering from arthritis and eventually looking at a replacement knee.

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Outfielder Gary Sheffield had the case on his left wrist removed Monday and he is working with a physical therapist in New York. General manager Brian Cashman said there is nothing planned beyond the therapist sessions.

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Starting centerfielder Johnny Damon returned to the lineup last night after missing the previous two games with a back problem.

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Injured outfielder Hideki Matsui said his shoulders were sore after swinging a bat during Tampa workouts.

“That is good,” Torre said of the soreness. “It’s all stuff that comes with swinging. His hands aren’t sore.”

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All-Star second baseman Robinson Cano will attempt to run the bases tomorrow in Tampa. If he doesn’t have a problem with the left hamstring, Cano will increase the intensity of the running.

The Yankees don’t have a date for a rehabilitation game in mind yet for their second-year second baseman, who has been out for a month.

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Octavio Dotel threw from 100 feet yesterday and, according to Torre, will be on a mound shortly … Carl Pavano may throw bullpen sessions by the end of this week or the beginning of next.