MLB

Banged-up Beltran could return to Yankees lineup Saturday

Joe Girardi said Carlos Beltran did tee-and-toss Friday before the Yankees’ 4-3 win over the White Sox and he hopes Beltran is available to return to the lineup on Saturday.

Beltran still hasn’t taken batting practice, but Girardi said he felt good after picking up a bat.

Before the game, hitting coach Kevin Long said Beltran had “intentions” of taking swings in batting practice, but opted not to.

Beltran had a third cortisone shot on his sore right elbow on Wednesday and has missed three straight games.

At this point, there’s no telling when Beltran will be 100 percent and productive. He was hitless in 14 straight at-bats before the injury and has just one hit in his previous 29 at-bats.

Beltran has been battling a bone spur in his elbow since May and is trying to wait until after the season to have the necessary surgery.

He recently returned to right field, but both Beltran and Girardi said they didn’t believe the recurrence of the injury was related to playing defense.

On Friday, Brian McCann served as the designated hitter, with Francisco Cervelli behind the plate and Zelous Wheeler in right.