updated 11:43 a.m. ET Sept. 4, 2004

NEW YORK - Yankees slugger Jason Giambi still wants to keep his medical situation private, even though a newspaper report Friday detailed the location and treatment of his benign tumor.

Citing three anonymous major league sources, the Daily News reported that Giambi has been getting treatment for a tumor in his pituitary gland, which is about the size of a pea and is located at the base of the brain.

The newspaper said the treatment includes a form of steroids that does not enhance athletic performance, and was approved by major league baseball.

The Yankees would not confirm the report, spokesman Rick Cerrone and general manager Brian Cashman said. The team released a short statement about the “published speculation” with Giambi’s comments.

“While I understand the continuing speculation surrounding the details of my medical condition, I continue to believe that it is a private matter. I appreciate the fact that the media has a job to do, but my focus now is on returning and contributing to this team,” Giambi said.

He was not available for further comment before New York played Baltimore on Friday night.

According to the newspaper, the pituitary gland controls many bodily functions, helping to regulate blood pressure, growth, metabolism, stress and kidney function, among other things.

The newspaper said even a benign tumor there, if big enough, can cause problems such as fatigue and vision trouble if the tumor pushes on the gland.

The report said Giambi is taking corticosteroids, different than anabolic steroids, which build muscle and are prohibited in baseball and other sports. The newspaper said tumors such as Giambi’s are normally controlled by the kind of treatment he is receiving and rarely require surgery or radiation.

“Our position on his condition is the same as it’s been from the beginning. We issued that statement, and other than that, we’re not commenting,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. “We’re respecting his right to privacy.”

Giambi called Cashman on Friday morning to ask if he could come to the ballpark later than usual because he was attending to a personal matter.

The 2000 AL MVP arrived while the Yankees were taking batting practice. He emerged from the clubhouse shortly after 5 p.m. dressed in workout shorts and he carried a bat toward the indoor cage.

Giambi, who felt weak all season and hasn’t played since July 23, is batting just .221 with 11 homers and 36 RBIs, going hitless in his last 21 at-bats. The five-time All-Star has also been slowed by an intestinal parasite, a strained groin and a respiratory infection.

Giambi rejoined his teammates Tuesday for the first time since July 27 and has been taking batting practice all week. He could appear in minor league games soon.

“We’ll see over the weekend how much work he can get in and how he feels,” manager Joe Torre said.

Torre has said he isn’t counting on having Giambi back in the lineup this season, but it’s possible he could return in about a week as the designated hitter.

“He’s pushing through, which is good,” Cashman said. “Hopefully by this weekend, we’ll have a pretty good idea whether we have a shot of getting him out within a week on a rehab assignment. Every day, he’s getting stronger and adding more reps. He’s building his endurance, which is pushing him closer.”

Cashman said he doesn’t think the story will affect Giambi.

“I don’t see how it would. No one is confirming the accuracy or inaccuracy of it. It’s just another story,” Cashman said.

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