Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran got some at-bats in an extended spring training game on Friday and the team is officially awaiting his return. "I think it's fair to start the clock," Mets manager Jerry Manuel said. "But there has to be an evaluation the day after to see how he feels, to see if he can continue on the same pace or progress he's still making. Once he starts playing, running the bases. He DH'd, so you still have to put 'limited,' but at the same time we're getting closer to him going in and off the field in the outfield. It's all positive. "I think you can start the clock." Beltran, who had right knee surgery in January, is still at least a month from returning to the major leagues.