Note: Carlos Beltran is Doing his Job
In his return to the lineup for the first time since late June, last night, Carlos Beltran went 1-for-4 with a double, a sliding catch in the outfield, and he nearly missed a go-ahead grand slam by a few feet.
Following the game, Beltran talked to reporters about returning to the lineup and said:
“Any time you make a catch, or get a hit, or do something for the team, you feel good and you gain confidence… Honestly, out there today, I felt like a kid in the playground. Bringing my daughter to the playground, when she’s having fun, that’s how I felt today. Hopefully, I can continue to come to the ballpark feeling comfortable out there… It’s been a long time rehabbing, like two and a half months to try to come back. Thank God I made it and I’m here. I’m not thinking about anything. I’m just going out there and trying to do the best I can. That’s it.”
Beltran later said he returned from the disabled list, not because he feels obligated, but, because, “This is my job.”
For more on Beltran’s return, including additional quotes from Beltran and Jerry Manuel, check out David Lennon’s report in Newsday.
For more on the state of Beltran’s knee, and his goal for the rest of the season, read Steve Popper in the Bergen Record.
Speaking of the outfield…
In a report for MLB.com, Tim Britton and Marty Noble look at the impact Beltran will have on playing time for Cory Sullivan and Angel Pagan.
Pagan hit .295 with six HR, eight triples and 10 doubles when batting from the leadoff spot, during Beltran’s absence.
Sullivan is hitting .412 in September, and batting .283 with a .361 OBP and eight extra base hits in 44 games since the All-Star break.
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