Matsui's time could be running short.
松井秀喜選手の状態がよくないようです。Matsui's time could be running short.は婉曲的ですが，きつい英語です。proveできない者は去るのがMBLの掟です。GPくん，コメントは？？（UG）
Tampa Bay Rays' Hideki Matsui may be running out of time to hit
ST. PETERSBURG — As impotent as the Rays offense has been, the opportunity to have a hitter in the lineup with stellar career numbers against Boston ace Josh Beckett certainly looked appealing.
But manager Joe Maddon kept DH Luke Scott, and that .417 average, on the bench and instead started Hideki Matsui, who struck out twice and walked in three appearances against Beckett in Sunday's 7-3 loss.
Maddon cited Matsui's success against Beckett — 5 for his past 15 with three homers, though 9-for-40 (.225) overall — and the need to give the 38-year-old an opportunity. Matsui hadn't started since July 2, when he left with hamstring tightness. "If we're going to ask him to pinch-hit, he's got to play," Maddon said. "Also, watching him recently in batting practice, I've liked it."
Scott, hitting .200, said his "health is fine," so that wasn't an issue. Maddon said he considered using both, with Scott at first in place of Carlos Peña, but he wanted better defense with RHP James Shields starting.
Matsui ended up 0-for-4, flying out to right with the bases loaded to end the game; that dropped his average to .167. With OF Matt Joyce potentially coming off the DL on Wednesday, Matsui's time could be running short. Or thy could keep him and send infielders Brooks Conrad or Will Rhymes to the minors.
