Lisa Blumenfeld / Getty Images file

Los Angeles outfielder Gary Matthews has only started one of the last seven games for the Angels.

updated 8:59 p.m. ET July 19, 2008

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Los Angeles Angels outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. has a slight tear in his left knee, but there are no plans to perform surgery or place him on the disabled list.

"The plan now is to continue to treat it and strengthen it,'' Matthews said after the Angels beat the Boston Red Sox 4-2 Saturday to extend their AL West lead to eight games over the second-place Oakland Athletics.

"Sooner or later, hope it gets better; probably a little more aggressive with the treatment,'' he said. "It's a lengthy surgery to have, we don't feel the surgery is completely necessary. If it blows out and becomes detached, you have to have the surgery, no choice.''

The switch-hitting Matthews, hitting .235 with seven homers and 34 RBIs in 89 games, had an MRI on his knee Thursday and met with team doctors Saturday. He irritated the patellar tendon in his left knee last September, knocking him out of the Angels' AL division series against the Red Sox, and the knee has bothered him most of this season.

Matthews has started only one of the last seven games and is 5-for-36 with one RBI since June 27. He has sat out both Angels games since the All-Star break.

"No doubt, it's affected some of the things he needs to do,'' manager Mike Scioscia said. "From the left side, it's hampered some of the things he wants to do in the box.''

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