Beltran hopes to return after All-Star break

BOSTON -- Carlos Beltran expects to spend his All-Star break playing in a few Minor League games at the Yankees' complex in Tampa, Fla., and is aiming to rejoin the big league lineup when the team returns to action on July 17 against the Mariners in New York.

Beltran is on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to July 1, with a left oblique strain. He traveled with the Yankees to Fenway Park, where he took indoor batting practice, played catch and got some work in the outfield. Beltran said that he has not experienced any issues for about four or five days.

"Right now, I'm pain-free, but I haven't been playing any games," Beltran said. "I've been hitting in the cage. Once I play in the game and do everything I need to do in the game, we'll have more of an idea where I stand. Right now, I feel physically good."

Beltran said that he expects to play in two or three Minor League rehab games before being activated. He said that he has played through similar tightness in his abdominal area before, but an MRI showed a small tear, prompting the Yanks' medical team to recommend a DL stint -- which Beltran said he tried to argue against.

"I always will fight if I feel that it's not necessary, but at the end of the day, it's the team's decision," Beltran said. "They've got the proof from the MRI that I have something there. I've got to just work with them and get better."

Beltran is batting .260 with seven homers and 30 RBIs in 66 games. The Yankees have been using Garrett Jones and Chris Young in right field in his absence.