The Los Angeles Angels may not bring back designated hitter and outfielder Hideki Matsui, according to MLB.com’s Evan Drellich despite being hot in September (.352 average over a nine-game hitting streak). It may be too little too late for the 36-year-old veteran.

“No doubt Hideki is feeling much more comfortable in the batter’s box,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. “He started off the season very strong for us. He went through a long stretch where he was just trying to find his timing and wasn’t squaring balls up. He’s gotten it back, and I’m sure he’s going to finish strong for us.”

Drellich says that there may not be a spot for Matsui on the 2011 Angels’ squad. The team is rumored to be going after Tampa Bay Rays’ Carl Crawford and the team already has Bobby Abreu under contract to assume the DH position next year.

“I have to wait until the season finishes and then think about what will happen next,” Matsui said. “As of right now, I have no thoughts about going back to Japan.”

Matsui signed a one-year, $6 million deal last December after spending the first seven season with the New York Yankees.