Does Matsui have a target date for return?

[brosiusbuddy]

I know he is due back in August but does anyone know when in August he is due back? I listened to the Toronto broadcast tonight and the broadcasters said the beginning of August... which is as early as 10 days from now.

Anyone know for sure?

[xiemark]

http://sports.yahoo.co.jp/hl?c=mlb&a...0034-kyodo-spo

Depending on the news from Japan, he'll start batting practice in Tempa in a few days.

[NYDCYankee]

My guess is before Pavano.

[BRONXBOMBERS06]

My guess is before Pavano.

I bet you are right

[noneckwilliams]

temper your expectations.

[utopiapkwy]

temper your expectations.

Your right, but it is exciting just to hear that he is a few days away from hitting.

[TheBamTino24]

If all goes well, you can bet he's going to bust his arse to get back for that 5 game series in Boston.

[aeromac76]

If all goes well, you can bet he's going to bust his arse to get back for that 5 game series in Boston.

You are right, he actually said as much to Torre "I want to be back by August 18th for the Red Sox"..
Torre said he was happy to hear it but thought it might be a bit ambitious..

[HidekiIrabu]

I think his target is August 15th, which would be 3 months after his injury.

[gdn]

I'd say first week of September.

[effdamets]

My guess is before Pavano.

This is not a fair assesment, as I will be back from the dead before Pavano actually throws another pitch for the Yankees!

[gdn]

Please let us not turn this into another "make the same jokes about Pavano" thread.

[Dr. Gonzo]

Please let us not turn this into another "make the same jokes about Pavano" thread.

thanks you,

they are so trivial, old, and just plain stupid. Okay we get it, he gets hurt alot, thanks for making the same joke of the millionth time. Its not like he enjoys this anymore then we do.

[In Mo I Trust]

Agreed, not funny anymore.

Hopefully Hideki is back for the Boston series.

[aeromac76]

Agreed, not funny anymore.

Hopefully Hideki is back for the Boston series.

That is what he is gunning for, he knows it, and you can tell from the way he talks the first thing he did after getting home after laying on that operating table and having his arm cut open was go to his calendar and circle in big red ink "AUGUST 18TH @ BOSTON"..

[ZIM 2002]

They had originally told him 3 months, and I read or heard that he had taken that literally, the way Jeter took literally the amount of time they told him he had to be out when he injured his shoulder.

[JL25and3]

On the radio yesterday, Joe described August 15th as "pie in the sky."

[TheBamTino24]

They had originally told him 3 months, and I read or heard that he had taken that literally, the way Jeter took literally the amount of time they told him he had to be out when he injured his shoulder.

It's amazing just how different some athletes view their injuries as opposed to others. For some, like Jeter and Matsui, it is a determination and an idea that they will not be denied. That can only help the healing process. Obviously the nature of the injury plays the largest role, but don't underestimate mindest in these things.

I still find it incredible that this team is doing as well as it is despite not playing with Matsui and Sheffield. I bet if you had taken a poll in Spring Training on which set of sluggers was most valuable to NYY's sucess - them or Giambi and Rodriguez, the majority would vote for the outfielders given their "clutch" capabilities and ability to for both average and power. I know I would have.

[RhodyYanksFan]

My guess is before Pavano.

I think I'd pitch for the Yankees before Pavano does.

[ToneinTO]

My guess is before Pavano.

I almost forgot Pavano was on the team. What a terrible signing. His stint as a Yankee is making Kevin Brown's look good in comparison.

[TEPLimey]

I almost forgot Pavano was on the team. What a terrible signing. His stint as a Yankee is making Kevin Brown's look good in comparison.

I must have misread the thread title. Does anyone have a link to the Matsui thread?

[LETSGOYANKEEEEES]

Aug 18 in Boston (for the 5 gamer)....


Read it in the Bergen Record today...

[In Mo I Trust]

That'd be outstanding, hopefully we see him some time in August.

[Rocketman]

I would love to see Matsui back in Pinstripes - it's been too long since the Yankees had a real corner outfielder.

[TEPLimey]

I would love to see Matsui back in Pinstripes - it's been too long since the Yankees had a real corner outfielder.

I hope the Yankees don't Matsui as a corner OF full-time. With any luck, Joe will start Matui as DH when when Guiel is in RF and Matsui either in LF or RF (with Melky in the other corner), depending on his ability to play RF, when Bernie is playing. This way, Bernie will spend all his time sharing the DH spot with Giambi and Giambi will spend the days Bernie DHs at 1B.

That would leave our OF in much better defensive shape and keep Giambi and Matsui in the lineup consistently.