By GEORGE A. KING III

Last updated: 7:12 am
July 4, 2008
Posted: 4:37 am
July 4, 2008

If the left knee surgery general manager Brian Cashman says Hideki Matsui eventually will require is done soon, Matsui said he believes his season would be over.

"I would assume if I had surgery it would probably take as long to recover as the right knee," Matsui - who underwent surgery on that hinge last off-season and wasn't totally ready by the start of spring training - said before last night's 7-0 loss to the Red Sox at the Stadium. "In that sense if I had surgery right know this season would be over for me."

Matsui, who hasn't played since June 22 and is on the disabled list, experienced soreness after a recent session with a physical therapist. Nevertheless, Matsui said he hasn't been told he needs surgery immediately.

Nor has Matsui been informed when he can resume taking batting practice. That will not happen at least until Tuesday, according to manager Joe Girardi.

"As long as the inflammation doesn't keep coming back I should be fine," said Matsui, who was tied with Ian Kinsler for second in the AL batting race with a .323 average, three points behind Joe Mauer, the leader, going into last night's action.

Though Girardi said he is hopeful Matsui will return before the All Star break, it seems to be a pipe dream at this point.

"He is not going to take (BP) through the weekend," Girardi said. "There is a chance he probably won't play before the break."

Jason Giambi said he would be interested in participating in the home run derby, but he added a caveat. "If I make the [All-Star] team, I'd definitely do it," Giambi said.

Giambi has a team-leading 18 homers and is fifth in the AL, three back of leader Grady Sizemore.

Melky Cabrera returned to center field after resting his ice-cold bat Wednesday night when Brett Gardner started in his place.

Cabrera, who was hitless in 19 at-bats, went 2-for-3.

With no game Monday, the Yankees can alter their rotation. Girardi said he won't skip a starter but "re-arrange."

It's probable that 9-6 Andy Pettitte, who gave up six runs, five earned in 42/3 innings last night, will start Tuesday and be followed by Sidney Ponson against the Rays at Yankee Stadium.

Giants defensive end Justin Tuck watched batting practice from outside the Yankees' dugout.

Ian Kennedy has been elevated from Tampa (Single-A) to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Triple-A). Reliever Chris Britton worked two innings in a rehab outing yesterday for the Gulf Coast League Yankees. Britton is on the DL with a strained left rib cage.