NEW YORK — Carlos Beltran is ready to return to the Mets. He’s just not sure what to expect right away.
Sidelined all season following knee surgery, Beltran will be back in the lineup after the all-star break. He will play center field and bat cleanup Thursday night in San Francisco, Mets manager Jerry Manuel said.
Beltran, who played 14 games on a rehab assignment with Single-A St. Lucie, said he’s free of pain and ready to go, but isn’t sure how rusty he will be at the plate.
“Who knows? I mean, the way I played in Port St. Lucie, I think I swung the bat well. But at the big-league level it’s a different story,” Beltran said. “I do feel like I need to make adjustments.”
Bagwell new Houston hitting coach
HOUSTON — Former Astros all-star Jeff Bagwell is taking over as Houston’s hitting coach after the team fired Sean Berry.
Berry became “a victim of circumstances” as the Astros’ offense has sputtered this season, general manager Ed Wade said.
The Astros entered Sunday’s game with the second worst batting average in the majors (.237) and are tied for 28th in baseball with just 57 home runs this season.
Footnotes.
Royals right-hander Zack Greinke was scratched from Sunday’s start against the White Sox because of soreness in his back right shoulder but is expected to start the first game back after the all-star break.
• The White Sox called up right-hander Daniel Hudson from Triple-A Charlotte to start Sunday in place of the injured Jake Peavy.
• Red Sox right-hander Josh Beckett allowed one run and two hits while pitching four innings during a rehab start for Triple-A Pawtucket.
The Associated Press
