Rehab Will Keep Hideki Hideki Matsui out of World Baseball Classic

(Zell's Pinstripe Blog)

Hideki Matsui is currently recovering from left knee surgery. This will prevent him from playing for Japan in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. The tournament will begin in March, and he will not be ready by than.

Matsui had arthroscopic surgery to repair ligament damage in his left knee. His season was cut short toward the end of the season, because he decided to do it early on, so he would be fully recovered and ready for the 2009 season. It’s amazing how he had such a long consecutive game streak, and after that freak wrist injury...he has been injury prone.

I still think he is capable of being a big bat in the lineup, but his last three years haven’t been good. In the time he has played...he has done really well, but the big question with him now is staying healthy. Hideki didn’t play in the 2006 WBC either, and it must be very disappointing for the tons of fans he has in Japan...It means a lot to them.

• Yankees manager Joe Girardi said last week that early reports on Matsui’s progress were positive, as head trainer Gene Monahan noted Matsui was ahead of schedule and already running in place.

from the Yankees' Official Web site:

"

Several Yankees have expressed public interest in playing in next year’s Classic. Both Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez have said that they enjoyed their time representing the United States and would welcome another appearance.

Johnny Damon said late in the season that he had already filed the paperwork to apply for a roster spot. Newcomers like Joba Chamberlain also said that they would be honored to wear the U.S. uniform, while free agents Bobby Abreu (Venezuela) and Ivan Rodriguez (Puerto Rico) hoped to represent their respective countries.

Mariano Rivera is considered unlikely to represent Panama as he recovers from arthroscopic surgery on his pitching shoulder to remove calcification, and Jorge Posada — who begins a throwing program Dec. 1 — will also be excused from duty for Puerto Rico in favor of rehab from shoulder surgery.

Second baseman Robinson Cano, who did not play in the 2006 Classic, said that he is hoping he will be selected to represent the Dominican Republic this time around. Cano has received clearance from the Yankees to play 30 games — all as a designated hitter — in the Dominican Winter League for las Estrellas Orientales.

“If I stay as healthy as I am right now, I’ll be in the Classic,” Cano told The Associated Press.

"

from rotoworld:

He will not be playing,” said GM Brian Cashman in an e-mail. “Will not be ready.” That’s sure to irk the Japanese media, but it’s right the move health-wise. Matsui drew a ton of criticism from his home country for not playing in 2006.

144 Days Until Opening Day: Apr. 16, 2009.