Beltran sits with tight back, hopes to play Monday

PITTSBURGH -- Carlos Beltran was out of the Cardinals lineup Sunday due to tightness in the lower right side of his back, the same ailment that prompted his removal in the seventh inning of Saturday's loss.

Beltran said the issue surfaced while taking a swing during his sixth-inning at-bat in Saturday's game. He played the field in the bottom half of that frame before being removed as part of a double switch.

Beltran was available to pinch-hit Sunday, but said he still felt some pain when trying to take pregame swings. Asked if he expected to be ready to play Sunday, Beltran answered with some uncertainty.

"Honestly, all I did today was treatment and ice it and try to make it feel better," Beltran said. "Thank God we scored runs and I wasn't needed to be used. Hopefully tomorrow I wake up feeling good and I can be there."

With Beltran on the bench, Shane Robinson made the start in right field. He reached base four times with two walks and two singles and scored once.