TAMPA, Fla. -- Hideki Matsui hit six homers in 67 swings during his first live batting practice session Tuesday with the New York Yankees.

With about six dozen Japanese media on hand to watch at New York's minor league complex, Matsui went deep for the first time on his 32nd swing.

The three-time MVP of Japan's Pacific League met several of his new teammates for the first time. He was in a hitting group with Derek Jeter, Alfonso Soriano and Jorge Posada, also on hand for early workouts ahead of Sunday's reporting date for position players.

"I think they are nice guys," Matsui said through an interpreter. "We talked about hitting."

Two of Matsui's homers went over 400 feet.

"It's tough to decide in only one day," Posada said. "His bat, when he swings, he's got a lot of top spin. It carries. The ball keeps going and going."

Matsui, known as Godzilla, signed a $21 million, three-year contract during the offseason after becoming a free agent in Japan. He wore a T-shirt and Yankees' shorts during the workout.

"It's exciting," Matsui said. "A lot of famous players wearing the Yankees' uniform. The Yankees' uniform is historical. I'm proud of the Yankee uniform."

Matsui arrived in Florida on Monday after spending a week in New York. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman accompanied him on the flight.

"It looks like he has a good swing," Jeter said. "Good guy. They signed him for a reason. Obviously he can play."

Matsui also took part in fielding drills during his two-hour workout.

"I have a little pressure, but I think baseball is the same in Japan and the United States," Matsui said. "I didn't play with American pitchers. I have to pick up (on) American pitchers."

Notes
Soriano, who pulled out of a home run-hitting contest last weekend, has been cleared to practice. "No concerns whatsoever," Cashman said. "He passed all tests." After taking batting practice, Soriano took grounders and had a 15-minute throwing session with Jeter. ... There will be no restrictions on closer Mariano Rivera, who was slowed by shoulder problems last season. "We may baby him a little," manager Joe Torre said. "He's fine physically. He'll get his innings." ... RHP Steve Karsay (back surgery) probably won't pitch in games until the last 2½-to-3 weeks of spring training. Torre says the setup man will be ready by opening day on March 31 at Toronto.