NEW YORK -- Hideki Matsui took batting practice Wednesday for the first time since the New York Yankees left fielder broke his left wrist in May.
Matsui took 35 swings at pitches thrown by coach Mitch Seoane in an indoor batting cage at Yankee Stadium before the start of New York's day-night doubleheader against Detroit.
"I think everything was good. I didn't have any pain," Matsui said through a translator. "My swing and my mechanics I think isn't too bad at this point right now. I think it's more my timing is a little off."
Yankees manager Joe Torre said Matsui might have a minor-league rehabilitation assignment before rejoining the major league active roster.
"It's just a matter of how much BP he needs," Torre said.
When Matsui returns next month, he'll be a designated hitter.
"I think it's probably the safest thing to do, only because I wouldn't want him out there diving for a ball," Torre said.
Matsui was hurt trying for a sliding catch against Boston's Mark Loretta on May 11, and the injury ended his consecutive-games streak at 518. Matsui said the injury wouldn't be on his mind when he returns to left field.
"Probably I should be fine," he said, adding, "as long I don't do the same thing I did a couple of months ago."
Torre has been pleased with the play of Matsui's replacement, Melky Cabrera.
"There's no question the kid in left field has been second to none," he said. "There have been a lot good outfielders in this league, but he plays left field as well as anybody plays it right now."