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Beltran in Cardinals lineup vs. Pirates

Sports

August 13th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Carlos Beltran was in the St. Louis Cardinals for the opener of their series against NL Central-leading Pittsburgh, making a quick recovery from a bruised right foot. Beltran was taken out in the sixth inning Sunday after fouling a ball off the foot. The Cardinals had a day off Monday and Beltran and the team had been hopeful he could return.

Beltran was batting .305 with a team-leading 20 home runs and 62 RBIs. The switch-hitter was hurt batting right-handed and he was batting left-handed against the Pirates’ Charlie Morton, lessening the chance of aggravating the bruise with another foul ball.

The Cardinals added a hitter to the bench, recalling infielder Jermaine Curtis from Triple-A Memphis and demoting right-handed reliever Michael Blazek.