Matsui Goes 1 for 2 in Angels Spring Debut
By wchung | 19 Jun, 2026

Los Angeles Angels' Hideki Matsui, of Japan, strikes out in the first inning in a spring training baseball game against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday, March 9, 2010, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Hideki Matsui made his spring debut for the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday, getting a single in two trips to the plate during a 6-5 win over the San Diego Padres.

Matsui struck out against Chris Young in the first and grounded Radhames Liz’s 3-1 pitch up the middle for a hit in the fourth.

Matsui agreed to a $6 million, one-year contract with the Angels in December after spending seven seasons with the New York Yankees. The Japanese slugger hit .274 with 28 homers and 90 RBIs last year, then was selected World Series MVP despite starting only three of the six games against Philadelphia.

He was scheduled to make his Angels debut on Sunday but the game was rained out.

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP)