Mets' Beltran pain-free and wants to play
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Phillies win three of four vs. Mets
Carlos Beltran says he's been pain-free for "a couple of weeks" now, and even though it would seem a waste of time for him to try to return to this dismal season, the centerfielder still is working to get back into the lineup as soon as he's cleared.
"Cause I'm a ballplayer. This is what I do for a living. I want to get back," he said Sunday. "It's no fun just being able to sit around and not do anything."
Beltran ran in the outfield and shagged fly balls before Saturday's game at Citi Field and felt no soreness in his right knee, so all that remains for him is to run the bases before he thinks he can be cleared to play games in a rehab assignment.
He said he wants to play in the minors before he returns to the Mets, as he hasn't played since June 21.
"I would love to play a few [rehab] games before I play in real games," Beltran said. "It doesn't matter how hard you train, how hard you rehab, games are totally different. They would really tell me where I am."
Beltran said the team's medical staff has indicated he will get another MRI exam next week to see if the bone bruise behind his knee has reduced in size.
Wagner ready, not used
Billy Wagner remains in limbo, still a Met after yesterday's game. He went unused in the 9-7 loss to the Phillies despite being available to pitch.
"We were waiting for basically a winning situation to use him," Jerry Manuel said of his decision to keep Wagner idle.
The Mets have until Tuesday to work out a deal with the Red Sox, who claimed Wagner on waivers Friday.
Extra bases
Gary Sheffield pinch hit in the eighth, flying out to left. He was left out of the starting lineup because of a minor wrist injury suffered in the weight room, according to Manuel . . . Angel Pagan's inside-the-park homer was the first since 2007 for the Mets and 25th in team history.
