New York Mets second baseman Kazuo Matsui is expected to miss the regular season opener after damaging ligaments in his right knee in a preseason game Thursday.
Matsui received examinations Friday and was told by doctors that he needs three weeks to recover from the injury, making it hard for him to return to action in time for the Mets' opening game against the Washington Nationals on April 3 at Shea Stadium.
Matsui hurt himself in the first inning of a 6-5 win over the Atlanta Braves on Thursday while sliding into second base following a bloop single to center by Paul Lo Duca.
"I got the injury only yesterday, so it still hurts. I can do little about what has happened but I haven't given up hope on playing the opening game," said Matsui.
Matsui, whose major league career has been hit by a series of injuries since joining the Mets in 2004, plans to stay at Port St. Lucie to concentrate on rehabilitation.