Carlos Beltran returned to the Yankees’ lineup Friday night for the first time since a freak batting practice injury on July 9 left him with two nose fractures and early signs of a concussion.
A ball off the designated hitter’s bat struck a bar on a protective screen in Cleveland’s indoor cage and hit Beltran in the face on July 9.
The Yankees placed Beltran on the seven-day concussion list on July 10. He missed the seven games leading to the All Star break. The first two due to a hamstring tendon problem and the final five because of the batting practice injury.
“The next day I was better. The team was concerned about it. I didn’t’ feel dizzy. I let them know I was feeling good, but at the same time the team was concerned and wanted to make sure I didn’t have [a concussion],’’ said Beltran, who went 2-for-4 with an RBI in Friday night’s 4-3 win over the Reds.
Beltran cleared a battery of tests put in place by MLB and hit sixth.
Asked if he suffered a concussion during a gruesome collision with Mike Cameron as a Met on Aug. 11, 2005, Beltran said he played three days later when it was actually five days.
“I don’t know what a concussion is. I don’t know the feelings,’’ Beltran said.
Considering the three-year, $45 million commitment the Yankees made to the switch-hitting outfielder this past offseason, they expected more than the .220 batting average and .681 OPS he has posted in 62 games.
The concussion disabled list stint was his second visit to the shelf this season. He missed 21 games in mid-May to early June with a bone spur in his right elbow and hasn’t played the outfield since he returned.
“Right now I am a DH,’’ said Beltran, who halted a throwing program in late June when he felt discomfort in the forearm.
“It’s all right. Some days it’s tight and some days it’s better,’’ Beltran said of the elbow.
The Yankees are now four games back of the AL East-leading Orioles.
Add Derek Jeter to the long list of special Yankees who have been honored with a “Day’’ at the Stadium.
On Sept. 7, the Yankees will honor the retiring captain with a pregame ceremony.
All fans in attendance for the Yankees’ game against the Royals will receive a limited-edition commemorative coin.
Further details about the ceremony will be announced later.
On the same day CC Sabathia’s right knee problem will force him to have arthroscopic surgery and miss the rest of the season, general manager Brian Cashman said he was encouraged with Michael Pineda’s progress.
“He’s doing very well. [Pitching coach] Larry [Rothschild] actually saw him do a bullpen [session] down in Florida during the break, so he’s doing very well. He’s going through his throwing progression right now,’’ Cashman said of the right-hander who hasn’t pitched since April due to suspension and a teres major muscle injury high in his right back near the shoulder.
“We have actual dates in play we’re shooting for, but I’d rather not reveal what they are yet because it just seems like once you put them out there, you have to alter them. Hopefully he’ll be back for us in August.”
It doesn’t appear second baseman Dan Uggla, released Friday by Atlanta, will land in The Bronx.
“I don’t see where he would be a fit,’’ Cashman said of the 34-year-old Uggla, who batted .162 (21-for-130) with two homers and 10 RBIs in 48 games.
Uggla was suspended for the last Sunday’s game for a reason not made public.
The Yankees victory hiked their interleague record to 11-7 this season and secured their 15th interleague winning record.
Beltran took Bryan Mitchell’s place on the roster. Mitchell was promoted last Sunday to offer long relief if Chase Whitley ran into trouble against the Orioles. He wasn’t needed Sunday night in a rain-shortened, 3-1 loss.
Before retiring all five Reds he faced and striking out three Dellin Betances spent time at Heritage Park, the site of the old Yankee Stadium, the All Star relief pitcher met with 200 kids from Washington Heights, where Betances grew up, and The Bronx to thank them for their support of his bid to be an All-Star.