Hideki Matsui was cleared to take full batting practice for the first time on Tuesday, a big step in his hopeful return to the Yankees' lineup this season. Matsui is scheduled to hit indoors on Wednesday.

Matsui had no problems with soft-toss hitting drills on Sunday, but he hasn't taken live batting practice yet. The Yankees originally thought Matsui wouldn't be ready until some time later this week.

"In terms of being pain free, that's something I definitely feel good about and very satisfied," Matsui said through his interpreter. "I'm still working on my mechanics and things like that."

Matsui said he's still conscious of his left wrist when he swings, but feels that getting his timing and mechanics back are all he needs before returning. Manager Joe Torre said he expects Matsui to join the team sometime this season.

One thing that could limit Matsui's progress is that the Minor League regular season ends in the first week of September, which may be too late for Matsui to make a rehab appearance. But Torre didn't seem concerned about that possibility.

"We can probably DH him at some point," Torre said. "I think that's the safest thing for him to do, as opposed to have him dive for a ball in the outfield."

Matsui originally fractured his wrist trying to make a sliding catch against the Red Sox on May 11. Since then, he has been maintaining his conditioning by constantly running and doing exercises to strengthen his wrist and keep his timing.

"My swing itself isn't that bad in terms of mechanics," Matsui said. "Hitting the ball, seeing the ball, hitting it with good timing, things like that, I think I'm still a little off."

Matsui said he couldn't say when he thinks he'll be able to return or how many at-bats it will take for him to get back to normal. He could answer how he's feeling mentally.

"I don't get anxious at all," Matsui said. "What I focus on is the next thing I need to do to get prepared and completing the next step. That's all I really focus on."

The official investigation into Carl Pavano's car accident is underway.

Police have already released their report, and now it's the Yankees' and general manager Brian Cashman's turn to find out what actually happened.

Pavano, who waited until Saturday to inform the Yankees that he was involved in a car accident in Palm Beach, Fla., on Aug. 15, will see Dr. Stuart Hershon in New York on Wednesday to get a full physical evaluation to look at his two fractured ribs and any other ailments that the righty may have incurred.

His scheduled start for Triple-A Columbus on Wednesday has been scratched and another one won't be penciled in until Cashman has all the details about Pavano's rib injury. Manager Joe Torre said he's not counting on Pavano to pitch for the Yankees this season.

Pavano has concerns other than Cashman. According to The New York Daily News, which obtained a copy of the police report, Pavano was charged with the accident, contrary to what he told reporters on Monday. The report also said Pavano's 2006 Porsche sustained $30,000 worth of damage.

The driver that Pavano hit when his car slid out of control on the wet road says he has a shoulder injury and has retained legal counsel. His truck sustained $20,000 worth of damage.

Cashman spoke like an investigator on Tuesday, saying he wants to get all the facts straight before making an emotional decision.

Right now, that emotion is of complete frustration. Pavano hasn't pitched in more than 14 months due to shoulder, back, buttocks, elbow and now rib injuries.

"It's frustrating, because you want results," Cashman said. "I don't think he's enjoying the experience. I know we're not enjoying the experience. It's frustrating for all parties involved."

Despite talking with Pavano already about what happened, Cashman said he doesn't have any facts about the accident yet. He said he will wait until he's in the right setting and takes the right procedures in questioning Pavano, so he doesn't "compromise" himself.

Once everything is known about the accident and Pavano's decision to withhold news of it from the organization, a fine or some other punishment could be levied. Cashman said he doesn't want to rule out any punishment.

"We haven't done anything yet, because I haven't completed an investigation," Cashman said. "We need to be smart about where we are instead of forcing an issue because of frustration and because of circumstances and compound the problem by making bad choices. The right choice right now is to make sure he has a full physical evaluation."

Pavano saw a Triple-A Columbus doctor on Tuesday, but Cashman and Hershon agreed that they want to do their own head-to-toe checkup. Cashman said the Yankees would have never checked for a fractured rib after Pavano first complained of pain after pitching six innings last Friday for Columbus. They thought it was only a strain or muscle spasm.

Now even after finding out that there is indeed more of a physical problem than once thought, it sounded as if some Yankees were questioning the true severity of the injury and whether it should stop Pavano. He, after all, did make three starts after getting in the car accident.

It all adds to the speculation that Pavano, who signed a four-year $39.5 million contract before last season, may have lost his passion for the game. He has started just 17 games for the Yankees -- all in 2005.

"I know there's a lot of stuff flying around that he doesn't want to pitch now," Cashman said. "So far, up to this latest incident, he has been held back mainly because of physical issues and they've all been legitimate. ... I don't buy into that."

Yankees reliever Octavio Dotel, who's battled his fair share of setbacks when trying to come back from Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery this season, said he has sympathy for Pavano. But even he seemed to ponder how Pavano could pitch six innings last Friday despite the injury and not be able to pitch now.

"I heard he threw six innings," Dotel said. "So hey, why not [keep doing it]? If he was really, really hurt I don't think he could pitch one inning. ... If he did that, then let's keep going, bro."

Dotel said he believes Pavano wants to compete and could tell he has been frustrated by just looking at him. He said he doesn't talk to Pavano, because he doesn't know what he would say that would make him feel better. Dotel empathized with Pavano wanting to hide his injury to possibly help get him back to the Yankees sooner.

"After you get so many pains and so many little things, you want to go through it and pitch with that feeling to see if it goes away," Dotel said. "I'm not saying he should do that, but sometimes you get to that point and you want to do it no matter what."

Torre said he could see Pavano's side of things, but he's also frustrated. Torre hasn't spoken with Pavano since the team was informed of the accident, but unlike Cashman, the manager said he isn't going to delve into any investigation.

"It seems that every time we think we have something solved, something else pops up," Torre said of Pavano's injuries. "You just kind of shake your head."

Torre also seemed to ponder the severity of the rib injury saying, "There are players who have played with broken bones before. Evidently, it was possible [because Pavano did it on Friday]."

Derek Jeter said he didn't know all the details of the injury and that he hasn't even thought much about it.

"It's not a letdown if you weren't counting on it," Jeter said of Pavano's comeback, which was supposed to happen later this week.

Even if Pavano does come back this season there are concerns about how he will be received in the Yankees' clubhouse. There have been several players who said off the record that it seemed like Pavano didn't want to pitch, and Cashman said he's sure the players are frustrated.

"You have to walk into this clubhouse, dress next to these guys and carry your share of the load," Torre said. "If it's a little tougher to do that at first, so be it."

As team captain, Jeter spoke almost as the team's representative to reporters on Tuesday.

"He's a teammate, he's going to be welcomed," Jeter said. "We want him to win. We want him to do well. But he's got to be healthy first, before we can answer those questions."

The Yankees will find out just how healthy Pavano is on Wednesday. Cashman said he could use a healthy Pavano. The question is whether that will ever come.

In 1997, as a pitcher for the Mariners, Mike Myers and a Seattle television station wanted to see just how many people would recognize Myers on the street.

So they came up with idea of sending him to Pike Place Market, a famous fish market on Seattle's waterfront, to see if people would buy food from him just for the novelty of meeting a Major League Baseball player.

Myers' item was frozen fish sticks.

"People just gave me funny looks," said Myers, who is now the Yankees' left-handed specialist.

Such is the life of a baseball "LOOGY" -- a nickname coined by former STATS Inc. writer John Sickels for a (L)eft-handed, (O)ne-(O)ut (G)u(Y).

But among specialists, Myers is revered. In an online statistical breakdown of the historical use of LOOGYs by The Hardball Times, Myers is referred to as "His Majesty, the Big Kahuna, the King of LOOGYs," the "Hardest of Hardcore" of them all.

Myers is the all-time record holder for most appearances while facing just one batter. He has averaged less than two-thirds of an inning per appearance during his 11-year career and has the most appearances of any player since 1995.

"Whether there is something done, good or bad, there's a record for whoever does the most or least," Myers said. "So OK -- no big deal."

That's his attitude about a lot of things. Myers is an every day, blue-collar worker. He stands out from his teammates, who have constant media pressure. Myers almost treats his profession like a 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. job.

Myers has been the commissioner of an "office" fantasy golf league for several years on different teams, and now heads up the Yankees' players and coaches league. He's an excellent poker player, according to his teammates, and reads the newspaper and does the crossword puzzle before games.

Asked to describe Myers with one sentence, bullpen coach Joe Kerrigan said, "He's the kind of guy you'd like to have as your next-door neighbor."

Myers, an Arlington Heights, Ill., native, was described in a different way by his bullpen buddy Ron Villone, with whom Myers warms up every day. It wasn't something you often hear said about a player.

"He's very sneaky," Villone said. "He's kind of that under-the-radar type, but at the same time he's a character."

There are a few tricky things about Myers. He shares his name with famous horror-movie character Michael Myers from Halloween and he enters games to the movies' creepy theme music.

Then there's his delivery, which Myers started using in 1996, his first full season in the big leagues. Suggested by then-broadcaster and former Tigers great Al Kaline during a plane ride, Myers' delivery comes from far out to his left and only about a foot above the ground to give Myers some "funkiness," as he says. Myers tossed perfect innings in his next two outings after the advice and stuck with it.

Villone also said Myers is very smart. Myers may have the physical appearance of your average 6-foot-3, 37-year-old father, but can dominate hitters by outwitting them, Villone said.

Myers, who became a specialist in 1995, uses a low-70 mph slider and a high-70 mph fastball. He mixes pitches so well that he's a nightmare for left-handed batters. Lefties are hitting just .241 off Myers this season and .209 off him in Myers' career.

Although teams sometimes counter Myers' entrance by pinch-hitting a right-handed hitter, it's Myers' success even against righties which has made him so successful. Right-handed hitters are hitting .219 off him this season. He is 1-0 with a 2.66 ERA overall this year.

"He's very important for us," Yankees manager Joe Torre said. "That's why you sort of ignore him a lot, because there's that one situation where his name comes to mind."

Myers doesn't get the acclaim despite his years of success. But that's fine by him. Unlike some of his teammates who are recognized in bookstores or restaurants, Myers keeps a low profile. He resides in Highlands Ranch, Colo., with his wife Robyn, sons Christian and Daryl and a daughter named Laryssa.

"My pocket book isn't as big," Myers said. "I don't get as many endorsement deals. But I'm able to take my family out."

The tough thing is that the Yankees are Myers' eighth Major League team. Reliable bullpen help is always in demand, but can also become expendable at season's end. Myers seems to stay two years wherever he goes and has a two-year contract with the Yankees.

There are also other negatives to the job. Not only has Myers been asked to retire some of the most feared left-handed hitters -- such as David Ortiz, Barry Bonds and Ken Griffey Jr. -- but he's asked to do it in some of the most stressful situations.

"He's a special kind of performer," Kerrigan said. "He can come in and instantly get an out. He knows it's crucial; that it's this one at-bat, this left-hander, and it has to happen now. It takes a special talent to do that, not only pitching skills, but mental skills."

The job can be mentally taxing because it can be difficult for specialists to get constant work. Some teams don't have any feared lefties in their lineup, or many lefties at all, meaning a specialist such as Myers could go more than a week without an appearance. Myers has pitched just 23 2/3 innings in 47 games this season.

But on Aug. 21, with the Yankees on the verge of their five-game sweep of the Red Sox, Myers' expertise was called on. This was the moment he had been signed for.

The Yankees were ahead by one run with one out in the seventh inning and the master of late-inning heroics, David Ortiz, stepped to the plate.

"I know the one guy that I'm going to be facing in this lineup," Myers said after the game. "It's not a whole lot of fun to think about, but it's fun when you succeed."

Myers succeeded, striking out Ortiz swinging with just three pitches. That was the end of his day -- three pitches, one huge out. It was precisely what he's done throughout his entire career.

"I do my thing and move onto the next day," Myers said. "I'll look at my baseball card when I retire, see how I did."

He can get one of those cards fairly easily. A Myers rookie card sells for 25 cents online.

But now that he's an all-time record holder, you better act fast; those things are selling like frozen fish sticks.

The Carl Pavano saga added yet another chapter Monday with news that Pavano has two fractured ribs suffered in a car accident on Aug. 15 in West Palm Beach, Fla. The accident occurred the morning of a rehab assignment for Class A Tampa.

Pavano, who hasn't pitched in the Majors in 14 months due to shoulder, back, buttocks and most recently elbow injuries, didn't report the accident to senior vice president and general manager Brian Cashman until Saturday.

The Yankees starter felt discomfort in his ribcage after pitching six innings for Triple-A Columbus on Friday night. He felt he was ready to return to the Yankees following the start, but the injury didn't seem to get any better, so he decided to inform Yankees management.

"Of course I'm angry," Cashman said. "You can't help somebody if they won't help themselves. ... I've got an army of people here that we provide to put our players in the best position possible to succeed, and I don't want anybody to sabotage that by holding back. And clearly, here, for a period of time that took place."

Pavano appeared to be on his way back to the Yankees' rotation and was tentatively scheduled to make a start some time later this week. Now, after getting a full checkup and throwing a side session on Monday, Pavano will make another rehab start with Columbus on Wednesday before being reevaluated by doctors and Yankees management.

"If he's healthy, he'll pitch," Cashman said, adding that it will be manager Joe Torre's decision on where Pavano will fit into the rotation or bullpen. It was believed that Pavano could have replaced Jaret Wright in the rotation or at least fill in while Mike Mussina was on the disabled list, but Wright will start on Thursday.

Pavano said his car hit a puddle and spun out of control, hitting a truck that was at a stop sign. Pavano said his car wasn't totaled, that he wasn't charged with the accident and that he didn't get any medical treatment on the scene or afterward.

Pavano did not inform any coaches about the accident and made three rehab starts before reporting what happened. He said he didn't feel much pain just after the accident. Pavano threw four scoreless innings that night, so he figured he could play through it.

But the pain didn't go away despite icing it himself, forcing him to "come clean and get the right treatment."

"It just seems like there's a lot of distractions that are caused by me that go around with the team, and I figured that, at the time, it was something I could get through," Pavano said. "It backfired on me. I take full responsibility for making the wrong decision. It's been frustrating for me. Obviously, I want to pitch."

Cashman remembered former Yankee Paul O'Neill playing through a similar injury. Still, Cashman said that it's the obligation of every player to always report any injuries and that he's still gathering information on whether Pavano broke any contractual obligations.

Pavano signed a four-year, $39.95 million contract before last season following an 18-8 season with the Marlins. He has started just 17 games for the Yankees, going 4-6 with a 4.77 ERA. Pavano said the pressures placed on him to finally return to the club added to his reasons for not telling Yankees management about the injury sooner.

"There are a lot of expectations that I put on myself two years ago that I still haven't gotten the chance to move forward on," he said. "I put pressure on myself to pitch and be a big part of the team and not be a distraction, which is basically how I feel.

"It would be nice to get those things behind me. The only way I can do that is go out there on the mound and do my job and try to live up to why they signed me. Those things are very important to me."

On Sunday, several Yankees players, who asked to remain nameless, questioned Pavano's desire to return to the team. Upon hearing of Pavano's rib injury, which was originally thought to be a strain, Torre said, "It became one of those things where it took the air out of the balloon again."

Cashman said he's only worried about Pavano's health right now, and Pavano also said he's not concerned with his teammates' reactions if or when he returns to the clubhouse.

"I don't feel like I need anybody to feel sorry for me," Pavano said. "I'll do what I have to do to get through this. If they don't understand, I don't think I have much control over that. Me talking to them or trying to save face -- that's not the type of guy I am.

"I can understand why some people think that happens for some reason or this happens for some reason," he continued. "But I'm really the only one who has the answers. So a lot of the answers depend on how I perform, and I understand that."