Injured Pitcher Hoping to Be Healthy for Padres' Opening Series in Korea

Will the recently signed free agent be back in time?

San Diego Padres pitcher Yuki Matsui shared an update on his status after leaving his Spring Training debut when he felt something in his back. Matsui was later taken out of the lineup for making another Cactus League appearance.

The good news is that an MRI revealed that there was only inflammation in his back, and no structural damage.

“I feel like it’s getting better. (Being ready for the season) is the goal for me. I want to get back there and get after it as soon as possible. I’m working on this with the trainers, and it’s kind of up to them to see how my progression is and when I’ll be able to get back on the field.”

— Yuki Matsui, via

Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Padres manager Mike Shildt said it's too soon to say whether Matsui might be missing the Padres' opening day in Korea. For now, they're focusing on easing the inflammation.

“But clearly … the longer it goes, then more jeopardy takes place. But I think right now it’s just a matter of getting the inflammation down, getting him moving around and seeing when we can get a baseball back in his hands relatively soon.”

— Mike Shildt, via

Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

The Padres got a brief glimpse of what Matsui can do in his first start for the Padres against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Matsui struck out the three batters he faced, which was important after the Padres had given up eight runs to the Dodgers in the first inning.

Matsui signed with the Padres back in December on a five-year, $28 million deal. He had spent his entire career in Nippon Professional Baseball with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.

It's good news that Matsui isn't seriously hurt, but the Padres will of course want to have him back in time for Opening Day, March 20 in Seoul, South Korea.