New York Mets infielder Kazuo Matsui was placed on a 15-day disabled list Wednesday, retroactive to March 18, after damaging ligaments in his right knee in a preseason exhibition game on March 16.
Matsui, who is eligible to return to the Mets roster on April 8, sustained the injury when he slid into second base in the first inning of the game against the Atlanta Braves. Doctors later told him that he needs three weeks to recover.
Matsui has begun light workouts but is still unable to resume full-fledged training, making it unlikely for him to recover fully in time for the Mets' season-opening game against the Washington Nationals next Monday.