NEW YORK (AP) – Derek Jeter played the AL championship series and the World Series with a ruptured tendon in his left thumb.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman made the disclosure Tuesday after the team’s news conference to announce Don Mattingly’s return as hitting coach. Cashman said the team would wait about two more weeks to determine if the tendon, injured in the opener of the series against the Boston Red Sox, would heal with about three weeks of rest. If it doesn’t, it would require surgery.

The shortstop, who became the Yankees’ captain in June, said he will not need surgery on his left shoulder, which he dislocated on opening day at Toronto.

Cashman said first baseman Jason Giambi had chosen Anaheim Angels team physician Dr. Lewis Yocum to operate on his left knee. Giambi played with an inflamed tendon and patella tendinitis, Cashman said during the World Series.

In other news, Cashman said the Yankees are declining David Wells’ $6 million option but have not decided whether they want the 40-year-old left-hander back next season. Cashman also said left-hander Felix Heredia had declined his $1.7 million option.

Wells gets a $1 million buyout as part of the deal he agreed to in January 2002. Including performance bonuses, he earned $14.5 million over two years.

He went 15-7 with a 4.14 ERA, but was bothered by back trouble and came out after just one inning of Game 5 of the World Series against Florida. Wells also angered the team during spring training with his inflammatory autobiography and was fined $100,000.

Cashman said the team may negotiate another deal with Wells, but wasn’t sure. He also said the Yankees had not yet started negotiations with Andy Pettitte, who is eligible to join Wells as a free agent.

Heredia, claimed off waivers from Cincinnati on Aug. 25, gets a $325,000 buyout as part of his deal. He went 0-1 with a 1.20 ERA in 12 appearances.

New York also hopes to re-sign left-hander Gabe White. On Friday, the Yankees declined his $3.5 million option, electing to pay a $250,000 buyout.

AP-ES-11-04-03 1625EST