Hideki Matsui and the Yankees haven't ruled out him returning next year with knees healthy enough for him to play the outfield.

"He could still play the outfield after the surgery," manager Joe Girardi said of the 34-year-old left fielder who has played 20 games in left and two in right this year, but hasn't been in the field since June 15.

Matsui didn't play from June 16 to Aug. 19 thanks to an inflamed left knee. In the 16 games he has played since coming off the shelf, Matsui has been the designated hitter.

While Girardi said Matsui will have surgery after the season, Matsui says he hasn't made a definitive date for the knife until he meets with the doctor.

"If I were to do it, it would be right after the season," said Matsui, who had surgery on the right knee following the 2007 season.

Matsui not only wants to play in the field and DH, he didn't rule out working at first base, a position that will be vacant since the Yankees aren't likely to bring Jason Giambi back.

"I would like to play and not just the outfield. I could play some first base as well," said Matsui, who hasn't played first base as Yankee but said he played first and third a while ago. "I want to be on the field, not just in the batter's box."