Beltran encouraged after cortisone shot

Jenifer Langosch/MLB.com

Carlos Beltran returned to the Cardinals’ lineup on Wednesday and went 1-for-3 with a walk. It was his first start since having a cortisone shot in his left hand, and afterward, Beltran spoke of already feeling some healing.

“Today I was sore where they really put the injection, but the feeling that I had before swinging the bat wasn’t there, so I was very happy with that,” Beltran said.

The point of pain was in the tendon right below the middle finger of his left hand. Beltran said it has been bothering him for a little more than a month, though he could never figure out if a specific incident triggered the discomfort.

Beltran has been undergoing treatment and rehab since first feeling the pain, but the club made the decision to use an injection after Beltran advised the club that his hand was feeling worse.

Beltran said he does not expect to miss more time because of the issue.

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