Giambi says he’ll return to Yankees’ lineup before end of season

TAMPA, Fla. — Jason Giambi expects to make a full recovery from health problems that have slowed him this summer and is confident he will return to the New York Yankees’ lineup before the end of the season.

The four-time All-Star declined to discuss details of his condition or the benign tumor found in an undisclosed spot in his body last month, but did say it was not related to an intestinal parasite the Yankees diagnosed earlier in the year.

“It’s been a pretty traumatic experience,” Giambi said during a news conference at Legends Field, the club’s spring training home.

“The biggest thing is I’m going to recover 100 percent. … I don’t want to get into the specifics. That’s something I’m going to deal with with my family. I’m excited to get down here, get back playing again, getting a chance to start over. It’s been a tough two months.”

Giambi was cleared medically to resume baseball activities on Monday, when he arrived in Tampa to begin working himself back into playing shape. The slugger spent about 90 minutes in the weight room before meeting with reporters, and he plans to begin swinging a bat next week.