Beltran could be back with Yanks for road trip

NEW YORK -- Carlos Beltran went 2-for-3 with a walk in an extended spring training game on Tuesday at the Yankees' complex in Tampa, Fla., and could rejoin the big league lineup in time for its upcoming road trip.

Beltran said that he felt fine and will play his third extended spring game on Wednesday morning, and he plans to fly north to meet the club after that game.

The Yankees are scheduled to play the Athletics on Thursday and begin a four-game series against the Royals in Kansas City on Friday.

Beltran, who is hoping to avoid surgery for a bone spur in his right elbow, took his at-bats right-handed. Asked if Beltran would be with the team by Friday, manager Joe Girardi said that "it's possible."

"I think it's fair just to see how he does these three or four days, and then you make a decision, but I don't think that's out of the question," Girardi said.

In that same game, catcher Francisco Cervelli went 3-for-5 with a double and caught five innings. Cervelli, on the 60-day disabled list with a Grade 2 right hamstring strain, said that he plans to play again in extended spring on Wednesday.

"The reports were good," Girardi said.