Beltran Says He Won’t Have Surgery

Carlos Beltran decided Tuesday he would not have surgery to repair a minimally displaced facial fracture he suffered last week in a violent outfield collision with New York Met teammate Mike Cameron.

Instead, Beltran will try to play and the Mets will attempt to design some protection, perhaps a mask, for the injury.

“The doctors gave me options,” he said. “I decided not to have the surgery. I want to be out there. I feel good. Nothing bothers me right now.”

Beltran planned on going through a full workout before Tuesday night’s game against Pittsburgh, and if he felt no ill effects, he could return to action this week.

“I just feel that I feel good,” Beltran said. “I want to play.”

The Mets gave Beltran the option of deciding what to do, General Manager Omar Minaya said.

“Our doctors feel Carlos is not at any risk,” Minaya said. “I talked to him today, and I told him we as an organization would support him whatever he wants to do.”

*

Barry Bonds now says there’s a good chance he could play for the San Francisco Giants this season because his bad knee is doing better.

“Two weeks ago things didn’t look too promising, but the past 10 days my rehab has taken a turn for the better,” he wrote on his website.

Giant Manager Felipe Alou was cautiously optimistic.

“There’s nothing new there,” Alou said. “He says he’s taking [batting practice]. I guess it’s better than no BP at all.”

*

The Cincinnati Reds put Ryan Freel on the 15-day disabled list and said the second baseman would have arthroscopic surgery to remove torn cartilage in his right knee. The Reds purchased infielder Aaron Holbert’s contract from triple-A Louisville.

*

Congressional staff members are reviewing the documents related to Rafael Palmeiro’s failed drug test and don’t expect to say anything about what they have learned until next week.... As expected, Philadelphia first baseman Jim Thome had season-ending surgery on his right elbow to repair a frayed tendon.