Japan's Matusi left in limbo as pitchers grab bats

Hideki Matsui is a home-run hero who helped the New York Yankees even the World Series, but the Japanese star will be forced to the bench as the title showdown shifts to Philadelphia.

The Yankee designated hitter whose every move is major news in Japan belted a solo homer in a 3-1 victory in game two to deadlock the Major League Baseball best-of-seven final at 1-1.

But the next three games in Philadelphia starting Saturday will be played under National League rules, which mandate pitchers take their turn at bat rather than be replaced as in the American League rules used at Yankee Stadium.

That means the Yankees batting lineup, which produced the most runs and more homers in the major leagues this year, will lose Matsui, who will become a free agent at the end of the season after seven years in a Yankee pinstripe uniform.

"Our club is not necessarily built to come into this ballpark but our club is able to handle it," Yankee manager Joe Girardi said Friday. "We're prepared for it."

Matsui, seldom used as an outfielder, could be pressed into duty by Girardi in the outfield either as a starter or as a late pinch-hitter and defensive reserve simply to get him into the lineup in the critical final innings.

"I'm going to look at some things, watch a little bit, see how he moves and see if we think it's physically possible for him to do it," Girardi said of using the 35-year-old left-handed hitter as an outfielder.

"It's something we have to look at and if we can't do it we will use him in a role to pinch-hit when we feel he can be most valuable to us. You might think about a double switch.

"But you don't want to lose his bat as productive as he has been for us."

Matsui is 3-for-6 in the World Series after going 7-for-30 in the first two playoff rounds and batting .274 this season with 28 homers. He was especially effective against left-handed pitchers such as Phillies game three starter Cole Hamels.

Matsui said he would be prepared for fielding duty if called upon.

"If the manager decides to put me in the outfield I will make sure I'm ready for that, but it's not my decision to make," Matsui said.

The quest for a first World Series crown has consumed more of Matsui's thoughts than the idea that this might be his farewell with the Yankees, whose contract interest likely grew when his game two homer flew into the stands.

"I don't really play thinking about my contract," Matsui said.

Matsui's work ethic and dedication have earned the respect of his teammates, notably Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter.

"He's a professional. He comes ready to play every day," Jeter said. "He's one of my favorite teammates. He's a guy you want up in big situations because you know he's going to give you big at bats."

The Yankees might just have to work a little harder to give him the chance in the next few days.