MLB

Mets’ Beltran buoyed by Florida test, eyes opener

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PORT ST. LUCIE — This is all you need to know about Carlos Beltran. He is using the word “we” much more often when talking about the Mets.

Beltran believes he will be there on Opening Day, Friday, against Josh Johnson and the Marlins. The Mets need to do everything they can do to get him in that lineup. Beltran needs to be rewarded with that type of emotional lift.

Beltran had his most positive day of spring training yesterday, playing right field for five innings in a minor-league game against the Cardinals, batting left-handed, going 2-for-5 with three RBIs, scoring a run and testing his left knee in a variety of ways, including ranging to his right to catch a line drive. He looked so much better than he did Saturday.

He smiled and joked with teammates. And after a slow start, popping up and striking out, he seemed to find his swing by the end of the hot, sunny day.

When it was over, a confident Beltran sat at his locker and said he is on target for Opening Day.

“I’m happy,” Beltran said. “We gain confidence by results. That’s how this game works.”

Beltran didn’t expect to play today, and is scheduled to play tomorrow in Viera against the Nationals, but that could change. The Mets then wrap up their spring-training schedule Wednesday back here against the Marlins, a team they will face for real two days later.

Beltran desperately wants to be on the field for real, and that’s why it is such a big mental lift for him to be out there Opening Day in right field.

His only game of the spring with his Mets teammates so far has been as a DH.

“This time I’m going to be out there with them and I’m happy,” he said of tomorrow’s game.

“I’m happy the way this team has been playing this spring training. I think everybody looks good. I think everybody looks healthy: Jason Bay, Jose Reyes, David Wright, Ike Davis, Angel Pagan. If we stay healthy as a team, we’re going to surprise a lot of teams.

“I know people are saying they are not counting on the Mets to win anything this year, but we’re going to try to take the negative and turn it into a positive and come to the ballpark every day and play the game hard and see what we’re capable of doing.”

Beltran has had to talk so much about the condition of his knees — first the surgically repaired right knee and then the left knee that was hit with tendinitis — that he rarely has had the opportunity to look at the big picture of the Mets and talk about the team.

Beltran said Opening Day is at the top of his plans.

“Why is it not possible? I’m feeling good. That’s why we

are doing what we are doing.

I want to make sure that I’m able to play in the outfield when the season starts.”

“Are you ready for Josh

Johnson?”

Beltran smiled and said, “I don’t think there are many people who are going to be ready for Josh Johnson. He’s one of the best pitchers in the game.

“I’ve been able to face him

a lot of times and I haven’t seen one guy who has been able to have good games against him. It’s a battle, and I’m looking forward to that.”

Beltran is a .174 hitter against Johnson.

“When you’re hurt and you’re trying to get back to the field, honestly it’s tough because you don’t feel part of the team,” Beltran added.

“I feel good. I feel strong. I can’t wait for the season to start. Tuesday, I will be with the guys and play seven innings.”

After icing his knee, Beltran showered and dressed. Wearing jeans and an orange striped polo shirt, he grabbed his suitcase from new equipment manager Kevin Kierst, like all his teammates did yesterday, and walked out to his car, looking like a man ready to get to work.

kevin.kernan@nypost.com