Matsui's Knee Improving

From Mike Puma:

Hideki Matsui doesn't know the cause of his sore left knee, but manager Joe Girardi said it might be the result of playing the outfield twice in three days last weekend in Houston. Whatever the cause, Matsui was absent from last night's starting lineup against the Padres. But after the Yankees' 8-5 victory, Matsui said he had fluid drained from his knee and is feeling much better. He doesn't expect a trip to the disabled list.

Jason Giambi shifted to Matsui's familiar DH spot and Wilson Betemit took Giambi's place at first base.

"We thought we would just give him a day off and see how he is," Girardi said. "It's just a day to get him feeling better."

With the way the offense has been producing I wouldn't risk anything with Matsui at this point. Give him a few days to rest and get that knee better.

Matsui is not in today's lineup and I wouldn't be surprised if he's not in tomorrow's either.