Angels Gain Back Matsui?

The Los Angeles Angels and free agent Hideki Matsui neared completion of a one-year contract on Sunday, sending the all-star back to where he came from. Matsui, a 36-year-old left-handed hitter, would be expected to serve as the club's designated hitter. Although no decision was made at the time, the deal will develop over this weekend and could be finalized as early as today, Monday. Matsui spent last season as the Angels' designated hitter, his first season on the West Coast after seven years with the Yankees. He has 161 home runs and a .290 average in his career. He was the Most Valuable Player of the 2009 World Series, won by New York over Philadelphia.