BALTIMORE — Mets manager Jerry Manuel is dreaming of a trip to The Bronx next weekend that would include Carlos Beltran in the team’s lineup.
The manager also is dreaming of a contract extension, winning the lottery and getting sized for a World Series ring.
After receiving word yesterday that Beltran had homered in a simulated game in Port St. Lucie, Manuel said he wanted to speak with team brass about the possibility of bringing the center fielder to the major leagues as a DH during this stretch of nine games in AL ballparks.
Manuel admitted the idea would be more realistic if this interleague slate — which began with the Mets’ 5-1 win over the Orioles last night at Camden Yards — was starting a week later, but also thought maybe next weekend at Yankee Stadium could be a fit.
Not so fast.
“We haven’t talked timetables, but that would be pretty aggressive,” assistant general manager John Ricco said, adding that Beltran still is not ready to begin a formal rehab assignment.
Beltran, who is recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery, played three innings in center field and went 3-for-5 with a homer during yesterday’s simulated game. But Beltran is not running at full speed, according to Ricco, and needs to get his “wind” back.
Manuel’s plan wouldn’t involve using much wind — just letting Beltran start hitting against major league pitching as the DH then gradually become the team’s center fielder.
“It’s easier to manage a guy that you can DH rather than manage a center fielder,” Manuel said. “I just think this is a good time to break him in.”
And what would happen once the Mets return to NL ballparks?
“I would think the progression would be enough in that time frame [as the DH] that now you could play him in center field sporadically,” Manuel said. “People are telling me about home runs, I’m like, ‘Why can’t he be doing that here?’ ”
Ricco all but ruled such a scenario.
“[Beltran] is pushing it,” Ricco said. “But there is a difference between doing it in a simulated game and doing it in a live game.”
Ricco said he doesn’t mind that Manuel is trying to push the envelope.
“[Manuel] is optimistic,” Ricco said. “We never frown on optimism around here.”
