Mets' Beltran On Comeback Trail, Plays 2 Minor League Games
NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) — Carlos Beltran took another step in his return to the Mets from left knee tendinitis, serving as the designated hitter in two minor league games Tuesday.
Beltran went 2 for 8 with a double and home run, hitting from both sides of the plate. But he did not play the field and was replaced by a pinch-runner after the double. He rounded the bases on the homer off a Class-A right-hander in his final at-bat after striking out against the same pitcher in the previous plate appearance.
"I didn't run hard, but at the same time, it was my first day basically on the field after getting the shot," Beltran said. "Everything today went well. Tomorrow I will feel a little more comfortable, and if I continue to play, the comfort level will come."
Beltran sustained tendinitis in his left knee while compensating for the right one, which was operated on in January 2010 and has severely limited his playing time the last two seasons.
The 33-year-old outfielder served as the designated hitter March 6 against Boston then was shut down for eight days while taking anti-inflammatory medication. He resumed baseball activities last Wednesday but two days later needed a cortisone shot.
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Beltran has not played in the field in a game this spring.
The All-Star center fielder who is switching to right to protect his knees, expected to receive only six at-bats, but after facing six straight left-handers from the right side, he decided to jump in for two more tries on the other side with a right-hander finally on the mound.
Hitting left-handed allowed him to see how the left knee would respond to the pressure of holding his weight on his swings.
The next step, he said, is running the bases and playing the outfield, but he did not know how soon that would come. He acknowledged he is not ready to begin playing full games yet.
"Yesterday I did some work in the outfield, going to the line and going back and forth, and I didn't feel anything," Beltran said. "But you have to go through a full day. That's different. But at the same time, I have to be smart. It just doesn't work that way. Because I feel great doesn't mean I'm healed, 100 percent."
Beltran said for now he is happy to not be feeling any discomfort or pain while he gets his work in, but he noted he wasn't sure how the knee would respond once the numbing effects of the cortisone shot wears off so he would have to take the process slowly.
"Based on the tendinitis I had in the past, I can't do what everyone does," Beltran said. "I need to back off on things and work. For example, the guys that are doing the rundowns, I can't throw myself into that. I have to make sure when I am good to go in the outfield, I am good to go. I know there are going to be situations in games where maybe you have to react that way, but I prefer for that to happen in a game."
Will Beltran be ready for Opening Day? Make your prediction in the comments below...
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