Beltran to begin rehab assignment Thursday

Carlos Beltran's clock will start ticking Thursday.

That's when the Mets' centerfielder is scheduled to began a rehab assignment for Class A St. Lucie, general manager Omar Minaya announced before last night's game against the Tigers.

The Mets hope Beltran - who had knee surgery in January and was originally projected to be back in May - can rejoin the team immediately after the All-Star break. The minor-league rehab assignment lasts 20 days before a team has to activate the player.

One note of caution: Minaya, who watched Beltran go through a workout Monday in Port St. Lucie, Fla., said the 33-year-old is running with a limp and still needs to wear a knee brace.

"I think it's fair to say when he runs, he has a brace," Minaya said. "The brace itself, there's a limp there. If you watch him walking without the brace, there is no limp."

Minaya said Beltran is excited to get back and help the team, which went into last night 21/2 games behind Atlanta in the NL East.

"I saw him run the bases," Minaya said. "I saw him run from home to first. I saw him run from home to second, second to third, second to home. Talking to the staff that has been working with him this whole time, they felt that he has been coming along pretty good. Based upon what I saw and based upon their recommendation, the next step was to get into game action. We're excited about that."

Minaya and manager Jerry Manuel said they both expected Beltran to reclaim the centerfield spot when he returns. That means a shift to outfielder 3A for Angel Pagan, who has filled in nicely as an everyday performer.

"Those things usually work themselves out," said Manuel, who is already cooking up scenarios to rotate Beltran, Pagan, Jason Bay and Jeff Francoeur. Beltran won't be able to play every day and Pagan can man all three outfield positions, so the only question is whether Pagan will take at-bats away from Bay and Francoeur.

At least it's better for Manuel than the end of last season, when he had to decide on lineups with hardly any major- league players as the Mets were decimated by injuries.

"It's easier," Manuel said. "This is easier. Believe me. Whoa. No, no, no. This is easier."

Pagan, who is close to Beltran, is hitting .304 with four home runs and 35 RBIs after going 4-for-6 last night.

"We always talk," Pagan said. "I always tell him, 'Hey, we need you over here. You're a big part of this team.' So we are looking forward to having him back and having one of the best centerfielders in the game with us. And one of the best hitters, too. There's no doubt we're looking forward to seeing him here and have Carlos back. It's so much fun playing with him."

Getting through the minor-league rehab games will be no small feat for Beltran, who hit .325 with 10 home runs and 48 RBIs in 81 games in 2009. He has been playing in extended spring training games and simulated games, running the bases only at times and playing a few innings in the outfield.

Now, it starts for real. The clock is ticking.