by Marc Carig
TAMPA, Fla. - New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi reiterated earlier Wednesday his preference to keep Mark Teixeira hitting in the spot third in the lineup, even without Alex Rodriguez around to anchor the cleanup position. That means, in A-Rod's absence, the Yankees will be depending heavily on Hideki Matsui to produce runs in the troubled slugger's regular spot.
Girardi also said - to nobody's surprise - that Matsui will be limited to duties as a designated hitter except perhaps during interleague play. Though Matsui's situation could change, the skipper figures it's not worth exposing the veteran's creaky knees to the daily pounding of playing the field.
"Obviously, how he plays me is definitely his decision," Matsui said through a translator earlier on Wednesday. "But obviously, I believe he says that with good intentions to protect my knees. My job, my role, is to prepare well so I can DH. And also in the event I have to play in the outfield, I have to make sure to prepare for that."
Matsui, 34, has shown diminished skills defensively in recent years and is still working to get back to full speed after a knee injury impacted him for the second straight season. But he's still a key offensive weapon for the Yankees, who will bank on Matsui's experience in the middle of the order.
With Rodriguez expected to miss the first month of the regular season, the Yankees can ill afford to go without Matsui's power bat in the lineup. Matsui is in the final year of his contract, but given this point in his career, his future with the Yankees may be in doubt.
Girardi also said - to nobody's surprise - that Matsui will be limited to duties as a designated hitter except perhaps during interleague play. Though Matsui's situation could change, the skipper figures it's not worth exposing the veteran's creaky knees to the daily pounding of playing the field.
"Obviously, how he plays me is definitely his decision," Matsui said through a translator earlier on Wednesday. "But obviously, I believe he says that with good intentions to protect my knees. My job, my role, is to prepare well so I can DH. And also in the event I have to play in the outfield, I have to make sure to prepare for that."
Matsui, 34, has shown diminished skills defensively in recent years and is still working to get back to full speed after a knee injury impacted him for the second straight season. But he's still a key offensive weapon for the Yankees, who will bank on Matsui's experience in the middle of the order.
With Rodriguez expected to miss the first month of the regular season, the Yankees can ill afford to go without Matsui's power bat in the lineup. Matsui is in the final year of his contract, but given this point in his career, his future with the Yankees may be in doubt.
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