BALTIMORE — After receiving word that Carlos Beltran homered in a simulated game in Port St. Lucie, Fla., Jerry Manuel said he wanted to speak with Mets 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 Friday against the Orioles 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 is still 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 the 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.”

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 unrealistic.

“[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.”