Beltran forced to leave game with foot contusion

ST. LOUIS -- Carlos Beltran left Sunday's 8-4 win over the Cubs early with a right foot contusion after fouling a ball off the foot in the fifth inning. X-rays were negative, and the Cardinals announced his status as day to day.

Beltran said he iced it a few times after leaving the game and will likely get more X-rays on Monday. He said he can walk, but wasn't sure about running yet. He hopes that with a day off on Monday and some treatment, he can be ready for Pittsburgh on Tuesday, but said he won't rush back to play if he isn't healthy just because of the high stakes in the divisional matchup.

"If I cannot perform and help the team to the level that I can help when I'm healthy, there's no reason for me to go out there," Beltran said. "If I feel I can move around well, I do want to be out there."

Beltran was visited by trainers and manager Mike Matheny on the field as he tried to walk it off. He remained in the game to finish the at-bat, a strikeout against Cubs starter Edwin Jackson, but was replaced by Allen Craig in right field for the top of the sixth. With Craig sliding from first base into the outfield, Matt Adams entered the game at first, replacing Beltran in the No. 2 spot in the lineup. Beltran was 1-for-3 with a single, a run and a strikeout before his exit.

"It really hurts, man," Beltran said. "For me to jump like that and take that time to get into the batter's box, I was under pain. After I finished my at-bat, I just went down in the tunnel and went and took my shoe off and it was swollen."

The Cardinals right fielder has dealt with several nagging injuries this season, but has avoided the disabled list. He missed time in May with shoulder soreness, and Matheny has been liberal in giving the 36-year-old veteran days off to rest general aches and pains. Sunday was Beltran's 103rd game played this year out of 117 games.

Most recently, Beltran had Friday off, as he deals with a lingering hamstring issue. He said on Saturday that he suffered a minor pull in his left hamstring last month against Philadelphia. He has played through the injury, but said it will tighten up on him from time to time, which is why Matheny gave him the night off.