NEW YORK (AP) -The injury-riddled New York Mets got a big boost Friday night when All-Star center fielder Carlos Beltran returned to the lineup for the opener of a three-game series against the Florida Marlins.
Beltran missed two games against the Washington Nationals because of a bone bruise below his right knee and rested for three days total with New York off on Thursday. He had an MRI on Tuesday, which also revealed an inflamed tibia, and a cortisone shot.
“I feel better,” Beltran said. “I don’t feel the sensation that I was feeling a couple days ago so I was able to move around today out there, hit in the cage, hit from the right side and I didn’t feel anything so I guess it’s good.”
ike Beltran, Carlos Delgado and Jose Reyes. The Mets had won three straight and five of six before the series against the Marlins.
Beltran had a quick impact in the field, making a nice running catch to take a hit away from Emilio Bonifacio in the third before throwing to second to double off Wes Helms.
Beltran, who entered Friday’s game with a .367 batting average, six homers and 31 RBIs, was hopeful that the shot and rest would be enough to put the leg injury behind him.
“It’s tough. The doctor said shots like that sometimes work. Sometimes they don’t work,” he said. “Hopefully this one works. Right now it’s working so far.”
While Beltran went right back into the lineup, the Mets have a far trickier situation with injured catcher Brian Schneider ready to come off the disabled list. Schneider hurt his back in April then injured his right calf during a rehab game in Florida.
Omir Santos, who was brought up from Triple-A Buffalo when Schneider went on the DL, and Ramon Castro have played well with New York’s regular catcher sidelined. Santo connected for his third homer in the fifth against Florida, and Castro also has come up with some big hits.
myself and be 100 percent and come back and see what happens.”
Manager Jerry Manuel said Schneider will be activated on Saturday and the club was considering every option for its catching situation. New York could carry three catchers or make a move with one.
“We have not come up with a clear-cut decision at this point,” Manuel said.
Add A Comment