Alderson less optimistic about Beltran
New York Mets' Carlos Beltran (15) slides safely home from second base after teammate Daniel Murphy's single to right field in a spring training game. (March 5, 2011) Credit: AP
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Sandy Alderson watched from behind the backstop Wednesday as the Mets lost to the Twins, 4-3, at Hammond Stadium. But one of his biggest concerns was back in Port St. Lucie, where Carlos Beltran had a very limited return to baseball activities.
Beltran had been shut down since March 8 because of left knee tendinitis, and Wednesday's activities involved nothing more serious than playing catch and taking swings in a batting cage -- from just the right side. When Alderson was asked about Beltran's availability for Opening Day, which seems to be fading, the GM began to show cracks in his optimism.
"We're still planning on him being ready for Opening Day," Alderson said. "We'll see where he is when we get back from this trip. I think probably a good check will be on Friday when we get back, to see where he is."
Beltran has appeared in only one game, as the DH, and did not respond well after scoring from second base and sliding into the plate. While he has described the issue with his left knee as a compensation injury due to his surgically repaired right one, it's serious enough to consider the DL, and Alderson brought up the idea of backdating him if he does not get into a game soon.
"I think it depends on how he responds to those games," Alderson said.
'Status quo' at second
After Terry Collins suggested Tuesday that Luis Hernandez may be one of his front-runners at second base, Alderson described the race as "status quo" and said the candidates could be pared down in the next few days. In the case of Luis Castillo, as well as Oliver Perez, Alderson hinted that the stigma surrounding them could be a factor in roster decisions.
"The perception of those two players lingers," Alderson said. "And you know, I would be foolish if that weren't a factor. But at the same time it's not going to be a determining factor necessarily."
Extra bases
Castillo, Brad Emaus (double) and Justin Turner each had a hit in Wednesday's loss. Daniel Murphy is expected to start at second base Thursday against the Red Sox . . . Jose Reyes had a single, walked twice, stole a base and scored a run.
