updated 12:54 a.m. ET Sept. 13, 2006

NEW YORK - Hideki Matsui shows emotion very rarely. When fans rose and gave him a standing ovation in his return to the New York Yankees’ lineup on Tuesday night, he backed out of the batter’s box and waved his helmet at the crowd.

“When I got to the plate, I never even imagined I would receive such an ovation,” he said through a translator. “I felt nothing but appreciation.”

Matsui went 4-for-4 with a walk, matching his major league high for hits in a game in New York’s 12-4 romp over Tampa Bay. He was the No. 8 batter and the designated hitter, exactly four months after he went on the disabled list with a broken left wrist, an injury that ended a consecutive games streak spanning nearly 13 years over two continents.

“His ability to play under pressure is something you can’t teach,” Yankees manager Joe Torre said.

Gary Sheffield also could return later this week. He took batting practice with the team for the first time in three months, and New York could find itself with more outfielders than it can use each day.

On what other team would Matsui bat eighth?

“I hope it’s scary for all the teams we play,” Torre said. “We certainly have capability.”

Matsui was hurt May 11 when he tried to make a diving catch on a first-inning fly ball hit by Boston’s Mark Loretta. He had played 518 consecutive games in the major leagues following a run of 1,250 straight games in Japan’s Central League with the Yomiuri Giants, beginning Aug. 22, 1993.

He went 3-for-11 with one double, one RBI and five walks during a four-game rehabilitation assignment with Double-A Trenton before returning.

“I never thought I’d have four hits,” he said. “I was pleasantly surprised.”

He also doffed his helmet — slightly — after his fourth hit.

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“I really didn’t want to make a big deal out of it,” he said. “I don’t want to disrespect my teammates.”

Matsui told third base coach Larry Bowa before the game that he didn’t need to go over the signs, that he remembered them. He did make one mistake, forgetting to tag up at second base on a flyout.

“He felt awful for it,” Torre said.

After the game, Matsui’s left wrist was wrapped with a huge bandage wrapped around ice. He resembled a boxer following a fight.

“The pain is pretty much gone,” Matsui said. “Just for precaution, I ice it afterwards.”

For now, the Yankees plan to use him as a DH. Any return to left field depends on medical reports.

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“I don’t think it’s going to take him very long to get his stroke back,” Torre said.

Sheffield took batting practice indoors and on the field before the game, looking a bit rusty. He had surgery June 13 to repair a torn ligament and dislocated tendon in his left wrist, injured April 29 during a collision with Shea Hillenbrand during a game against Toronto. Torre said Sheffield could return by the end of the homestand Sunday.

“Don’t look at me as a handicap no more,” Sheffield said. “I’m ecstatic. Imagine not being able to do it for 12 weeks, not knowing if you’re ever going to come back from it, if this is career ending or things like that.”

Sheffield thinks he’ll be game-ready in a few days.

“Obviously, I’m not just airing it out the first day in BP,” he said. “When they decide, OK, it’s time for you to play, then I’ll get game-ready. I’ll swing like I’m in the game.”

Since the Yankees acquired right fielder Bobby Abreu in late July, Sheffield has been working out at first base.

“When Sheff gets ready, then it becomes a little cluttered. But it’s still a curiosity, because it would be interesting to see how comfortable he is at first base,” Torre said. “Having been an infielder the early part of his career, I think he’ll be able to handle it.”

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