Beltran maintaining light throwing schedule

NEW YORK -- The Yankees are not placing a timetable on when Carlos Beltran will return to the outfield.

After spending nearly four weeks on the disabled list with a bone spur in his right elbow, Beltran was activated from the DL on June 5 to serve primarily as the team's designated hitter. He played catch for the first time on June 11 and continues to make about 25-50 throws at 90 feet.

"We're trying to lengthen him out a little bit in a sense where he's throwing farther," manager Joe Girardi said. "And increasing the intensity a little bit, but we don't really have a date.

"It's kind of a day-by-day thing because we've kind of told him if he feels anything, we probably need to stop it."

Beltran likened his rehab schedule to Spring Training. He is playing catch for two days and then taking a day off.

Beltran is still getting used to being a DH, but said he is starting to feel more comfortable at the plate. Beltran was hitting .219 with six home runs and 18 RBIs before going on the DL.

"I'm used to being in the outfield, being active, being in the game," Beltran said. "Being a DH basically, you go hit and you go to the cage, you sit down on the bench, so you're not as active.

"So, I try to go to the cage and continue to move myself and stretch."