JUPITER, Fla. — The Mets got some more good news on the injury front today when Carlos Beltran started in center field here today against the Cardinals.

Beltran, who was sidelined the first three weeks of camp because of offseason arthroscopic surgery on both knees, had finally returned to action this past Monday. But that was only in a DH role because Beltran said his knees — particularly his left knee — wasn’t strong enough for the outfield.

Despite some continued soreness in the left knee, Beltran was in center this afternoon while batting cleanup in the Mets’ order. He went 1-for-2 with a walk and an RBI, played four innings in the outfield. He recorded one putout before giving way to Angel Pagan.