NEW YORK (Kyodo) New York Yankees outfielder-designated hitter Hideki Matsui had surgery on his left knee Monday.
Matsui had damaged cartilage repaired at a New York hospital in a 90-minute operation aimed at smoothing the way for his preparation for spring training next season. He was not hospitalized.
"The team is still in action, but I want to get myself started for spring training," Matsui said after the surgery that took place with six games remaining in the regular season for the Yankees.
"I'm just hoping that I won't have a problem with this knee any longer," he said of the injury that has plagued him since 1998, when he was with the Yomiuri Giants.
Matsui was on the disabled list with inflammation of the left knee from June 23 to Aug. 18 before returning to the lineup. The 34-year-old was limited to 93 games this season, hitting .294 with nine homers and 45 RBIs.