"3B Evan Longoria didn't get back the ball he hit for his 100th career homer Friday, as it landed in the Yankees bullpen and someone there apparently unknowingly flipped it into the crowd.

Longoria wasn't that disappointed, though, happy with his other souvenirs (bat, lineup card, game ball) and excited that he's finally feeling healthy enough to go deep again somewhat regularly with seven homers in his past 23 games, after hitting 11 in his first 67.

"I think it's been pretty noticeable over the last couple weeks that I've been feeling better physically," Longoria said.

The primary problem had been a nerve condition in his left foot known as a Morton's neuroma. But a change in treatment, going from heat to ice; and in footwear, with the new Nike Shock cleats he got at the All-Star break featuring a wider toe box, made such a difference that Longoria said Saturday that the foot was now "a nonissue."

Also, that offseason surgery, which seemed likely the way he was hobbled earlier in the season, may no longer be necessary.

Longoria also missed a month early in the season after straining his left oblique, though he and the team have maintained there were no lingering issues.

"It took a while for everything to get in synch and back to at least close to 100 percent," Longoria said."