The Mets have a recent history of haphazard decision-making, at best, regarding injured players. As such, the deciders should be commended for the responsible approach they have adopted regarding Carlos Beltran, who isn’t projected to rejoin the team until the first game following the All-Star Break, on July 15 in San Francisco.
But given the threadbare bench at Jerry Manuel’s disposal — combined with this week’s six-game homestand against Central-leading Cincinnati and East-leading Atlanta that commenced with an 8-6 defeat last night to the Reds — management might want to take another look at activating Beltran this weekend so he is available for pinch-hitting assignments against the Braves.
Indeed, Manuel told The Post before last night’s game that he believes that option will be on the table barring any complications in the 33-year-old’s rehab in Port St. Lucie that continued yesterday with a nine-inning outing in center field in a Single-A game.
“If there are no setbacks, I would expect that discussion to take place later in the week,” the manager said. “It’s not just having that bat on the bench against the Braves, it’s the threat of having that bat come off the bench.”
The Mets have taken a thoroughly responsible approach with Beltran, just as they did at the start of the season by not rushing Jose Reyes into the lineup for Opening Day after the shortstop missed nearly all of spring training with thyroid issues, and just as they are doing now with Reyes, due to return tonight after a six-game absence caused by a sore oblique.
Management and the manager have handled injuries with equanimity this year following a 2009 experience in which the organization was either a) clueless; b) reckless; c) both of the above. The Mets have learned from their mistakes. It was general manager Omar Minaya who last night spoke of a “conservative” approach with Beltran.
Therefore, if there’s a consensus that Beltran and the team are best served by giving the athlete an additional six days to prepare for the major-league grind, so be it.
But there is this for Manuel and Minaya to consider: as currently constructed, the Mets would go into the series against the division-leading Braves, who have left-hander Billy Wagner as their closer, with only Henry Blanco or Rod Barajas — whichever catcher isn’t starting — as a right-handed bat off the bench.
Beltran, of course, is a switch-hitter who would pose a significant threat to Wagner even if he hasn’t seen wicked heat in his Florida State League games. He also would give Manuel a strategic edge — or at least a strategic option — against Atlanta manager Bobby Cox in matchup situations.
The lack of a credible right-handed bat off the bench was in evidence last night, when lefty-hitting Josh Thole pinch-hit in the eighth against All-Star lefty reliever Arthur Rhodes. Thole bounced out while Blanco remained in the dugout.
The Mets have more serious issues with which to contend if they intend to contend for the postseason, and they are on the mound, where Mike Pelfrey imploded in the fifth inning last night.
But having Beltran as a threat off the Mets’ bench this weekend would certainly help.