subject: Anxious Beltran shakes off rust in debut [print this page] Anxious Beltran shakes off rust in debut Anxious Beltran shakes off rust in debut
It is uncommon, to say the least, to hear a 13-year veteran admit to being anxious for a Spring Training game. But for Carlos Beltran, this has certainly been an atypical spring. And Beltran, for all his apparent stoicism, was jazzed for his Grapefruit League debut. where to buy cheap MLB Jerseys?ujersy is a good choice.
"A little bit anxious," was how he phrased it after finishing 1-for-3 at designated hitter in the Mets' 6-5 win over the Red Sox. "I just hope to continue to do a little bit more and more every day."
That much is possible now that his progression has begun. After weeks of doing little more than running and hitting, Beltran graduated to game action Sunday against the Red Sox, batting from both sides of the plate and responding relatively well. He even faced an early test, chugging home from second base on Daniel Murphy's single in the second inning. Though Beltran was not running at full speed and though his leg felt "tight" on the play, he made it home safely with -- forget caution -- a leg-first slide across the plate.
"I can't tell you what was going through my mind," manager Terry Collins said the play.
Nonetheless, it was a sight the Mets hope to see often this season.
"I thought it was huge," Collins said of Beltran's debut. "I tip my hat to him."
For most of Spring Training, Beltran's situation has been unclear. Though he played almost the entire second half of last season after returning from offseason knee surgery, and though he reported to camp healthy, Beltran was unable to play in Grapefruit League games. As he explains it, his offseason strengthening program forced him to neglect running, in turn pushing him off the field. And though Beltran began a running program after reporting to Port St. Lucie, he did not feel comfortable appearing in a game until Sunday.
Even now, he is not quite ready to man his new position in right field -- that, assuming health, will occur in seven to 10 days. But Beltran is nonetheless making progress, prepared to start Monday at designated hitter if he still feels strong in the morning.recommend directory: RYAN #30 Los Angeles Angels Mitchell and Ness Cream MLB Jersey.
Even if he doesn't, Sunday marked a significant step in the right direction. The defensive tests will come.
"Right now, I feel like I can get to the balls," Beltran said. "I need to spend more time in the outfield. If my knee holds up well, I have no doubt what I can do defensively. Catching every ball, that's impossible. Doing the job defensively like I know I have done in the past, I believe I can do that."
Beltran is aware of his limitations at age 33, coming off three straight injury-riddled seasons and volunteering the starting center-field job to his countryman, Angel Pagan. But Beltran also believes he can still play at an elite level -- the move to right field was made as much to save his own legs as it was for the good of the team.
If Beltran can stay healthy, the Mets know, he can still be a force in the middle of their lineup.
"I just think he's the ideal guy to hit in that spot, especially if he's swinging good," Collins said. "That's obviously the key for me. I do believe offensively he is going to swing good, and that's why I've got to keep him healthy and keep him out there."
To that end, Sunday provided several important tests. There was Murphy's single in the second inning, which gave Beltran a chance to sprint -- or run briskly, at least -- 180 feet home. There was the opportunity to bat three times -- warm up, cool down; warm up, cool down; warm up, cool down -- in the same game. And there was the presence of Sox lefties Andrew Miller and Hideki Okajima, which afforded Beltran the opportunity to bat from both sides of the plate. recommend directory: JACKSON #44 Los Angeles Angels Mitchell and Ness Grey MLB Jersey.
"Normally you don't see lefties in Spring Training," Beltran said. "From the left side, I felt like I was a little bit more patient. From the right side, I was jumping a little bit. Now I have an idea of what I need to work on."
