PORT ST. LUCIE (AP) — Carlos Beltran played catch and took batting practice Wednesday, the first baseball activity for the New York Mets’ outfielder in more than a week because of tendinitis in his left knee.
Beltran says he’s improving and still hopes to be in right field on opening day April 1. He’s appeared in just one game this spring, as the designated hitter.
The switch-hitter took 75 swings in the batting cage, all from the right side. Beltran said the Mets told him not to hit yet from the left side, where more pressure would be on the left knee.
Beltran has left knee tendinitis because he’s been compensating for his right knee. He was limited to just 64 games last season after right knee surgery in January 2010. He also missed 81 games in ’09.
