Beltran Receives Another Cortisone Shot, Scott Hairston's Time To Shine

Scott Hairston

Ailing outfielder Carlos Beltran received yet another cortisone shot in his knee today. Since playing barley one game as a DH, Beltran has been sidelined for 15 straight games. It is becoming more and more of a realistic possibility that Beltran will  not be on the Opening Day roster for the second straight season.

With Beltran’s knees acting up, that leaves a gaping hole in right field. Leftfielder Scott Hairston does not have much experience in right field (eight games), but if he can carry out his red hot spring training performance into the regular season, his uncertain defense will be merely a footnote.

Hairston got off to a smoking hot start  with a .394 average, a .487 OBP and a .697 slugging percentage in 33 at bats. He is   to make the team, only Nick Evans and Willie Harris pose legitimate threats to Hairston winning the possible job.

Newly acquired RHP Chris Young said in an interview that Hairston has the stuff to become a great player, he is just very streaky. If this is true, maybe the Mets could have caught lightning in a bottle in signing Hairston. Who knows, maybe Hairston could be this year’s Angel Pagan or R.A. Dickey.

With Beltran’s health in very significant question, Hairston has an excellent opportunity to show that he belongs as an everyday player as a New York Met.