Washington opts to rest Beltre another day

BOSTON -- Third baseman Adrian Beltre, who is dealing with a strained left hamstring, tried to talk his way into the lineup on Tuesday but manager Ron Washington decided against it.

"It was a fight," Washington said. "He said he's ready to go, but I decided to give him an extra day."

Beltre left Saturday's game in the ninth inning because of the problem and did not play on Sunday although he was available as a pinch-hitter. Beltre said the hamstring has always been an issue for him, but this was actual Grade 1 strain.

"It's always there, some days more than others," Beltre said. "Some days it feels pretty good and some days not so good. I know how to manage it. But now it's a mild strain, a Grade 1 strain. It's not just that the hamstring is sore, something is in there."

Beltre could be back in the lineup for Wednesday and Thursday. But Washington said he is planning to keep Beltre off the artificial turf at Toronto's Rogers Centre this weekend during a three-game series with the Blue Jays. Washington was concerned about Beltre aggravating the hamstring on the turf and may limit him to designated hitter duty or not play him at all.

Moving Beltre to DH would bump Lance Berkman out of the lineup but Washington said he might use him at first base for at least one game. Berkman, who had two operations on his right knee last year, has played just one game at first base this season.

"I'll just talk to him and see how his legs are doing," Washington said. "If they're good, I might give him a day on the turf. We'll just see."