TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -New York Yankees slugger Hideki Matsui began a running program Thursday for his sore left knee.
After hitting 10 home runs on 58 pitches during his second consecutive day of batting practice on the field, Matsui ran about 90 feet six times in the outfield.
“I was able to run and I didn’t have any problems after that,” he said through a translator. “So, in that sense, I’m pretty satisfied.”
Matsui will face a big test on Friday – seeing how the knee reacts. The designated hitter and part-time left fielder had his rehab program shut down last month when the knee swelled even more after two days of batting practice.
“We did something new today, so it will be interesting how the knee responds,” Matsui said. “If I don’t have any problems, then I think that’s going to be a big step forward.”
Matsui opted against having surgery last month with the hope of rejoining the Yankees this season.
“I think it was a very good day,” he said.
Also, right-hander Victor Zambrano allowed a broken-bat single over four scoreless innings in his first start for the Gulf Coast League Yankees. The former major league pitcher, recently signed to a minor league contract, struck out three and walked one.
Another former big leaguer signed by the Yankees to a minor league contract, Eric Milton, threw off a bullpen mound and is expected to pitch in minor league games later this month. The left-hander is coming off elbow ligament replacement surgery in June 2007.
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