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KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Jason Giambi returned to the New York Yankees' lineup Tuesday night for the first time since July 23, batting sixth against the Kansas City Royals.

"I feel great," said Giambi, who went 2-for-16 with two doubles and four strikeouts in a rehabilitation stint at Triple-A Columbus that ended Monday.

Manager Joe Torre said his plan was to use Giambi strictly as a designated hitter. With the Clippers' elimination from the International League playoffs, all of the Yankees' farm clubs have completed their seasons, so the major league team was the only place to get Giambi game time.

Giambi was activated with an eye toward the Yankees' upcoming weekend series against Boston, which began play Tuesday night trailing New York by three games in the AL East.

In two games against the Royals, Giambi could get seven or eight at-bats.

"I tell you, he was excited about it," Torre said. "You're thinking about obviously playing the Red Sox this weekend and you have to find out where he is at this point.

"We think he'll need about 24 or 25 at-bats," Torre said.

Giambi went 0-for-3 with a walk and a long drive to the right-field warning track in New York's 4-0 victory. The 2000 AL MVP, recovering from a benign tumor, intestinal parasite, strained groin and respiratory infection, is hitless in his last 24 big league at-bats. He felt weak all season and is hitting just .218 with 11 homers and 36 RBI.

"Certainly the curiosity about Jason and the fact that he started the year as this club's cleanup hitter, it could have a big impact," Torre said.

Torre said once Columbus was eliminated, there was simply no other effective way for Giambi to continue getting his game up to speed.

"I spent five days down there and I did OK," said Giambi, greeted with hugs all around the clubhouse. "The thing is just to keep playing, go from there.

"I did some hacking. I got some hits. What I need is to get some good at-bats. I'll take it game by game and go from there."

He said his strength is returning.

"It's getting back there. I'm working out and I'm staying on top of it. Playing is the only way we'll be able to gauge how far away I am."

Giambi again declined to answer questions about the tumor.

He excited Royals fans crowded around the railing when he came out with the other players to stretch.

"Hey, Giambi, welcome back," one fan yelled. "Are you playing tonight?"

"Thanks," Giambi said with a smile. "Yeah, I'm in there."

Torre said Rick Down, a Yankees hitting instructor, said Giambi is "still in the process of getting comfortable."

"But he thought his swings were good. He thought he was on the fastball pretty good. So we'll see," Torre said.

The Yankees will be studying Giambi's swing the next few days, not his results.

"The quality of his at-bats," Torre said. "And how comfortable he is, just basically taking pitches, swinging at pitches, his timing. It comes down to timing."

Torre said Giambi was happy to do whatever is asked of him at this point.

"I think we all know he's not there yet. Whatever we have to do in the meantime, I'm sure it won't be a blow to his ego. He basically said, `Whatever you want to do, Skip, is what we're going to do. I'll give you my best."

John Olerud will keep playing first base for the Yankees. Giambi's return probably means reduced playing time for Kenny Loftonand Ruben Sierra.

Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press