Beltran reportedly approached Mets’ manager Terry Collins on Monday and told him he wanted to talk, and then said he wanted to jumpstart the long-debated move from center field to right field.

“I came today thinking in my heart, ‘I still think I can play center field,’” Beltran said. “But, at the same time, this is not about Carlos. This is about team.”

Angel Pagan, who did a decent job filling in for Beltran when he Beltran missed the first half of last season after arthroscopic knee surgery, was then told he would be starting the season in center field, and that Beltran would be playing right field.

Beltran said that he initiated the moved in order to avoid a last-minute move just as the season begins, and to cut off the possibility of weeks of media speculation about a potential move.

“In order for me to play center field, I need more time,” Beltran said.

“I want to be on the same page with everyone here. I want Terry to have his time and to come to the ballpark ready to play the lineup without thinking where he is going to play Pagan, where he’s going to play me. At the same time I’m thinking about Pagan coming to the ballpark and preparing himself and focused to play baseball. I don’t want to create any distractions here.”

Beltran, 33, is in the final season of a seven-year, $119 million contract. He has started three games in right field in his career, all in 2000 for the Kansas City Royals.

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Carlos Beltran is back and the New York Mets are excited about it. The Mets begin a four-game road series against Tim Lincecum and the San Francisco Giants, Beltran will make his season debut Thursday night. Against the Giants (47-41) after being out following right knee surgery, Manager Jerry Manuel said the five-time All-Star would play center field and bat cleanup Thursday.

On a rehab assignment with Class-A St. Lucie, Beltran played 14 games reuniting with his teammates Sunday. He said he is not sure how rusty he will be at the plate, although he is pain-free and ready to go. For New York (48-40) last year, Beltran was limited to 81 games due to a bone bruise. With 10 homers and 48 RBIs, he batted .325 for the Mets.

Against Lincecum (9-4, 3.16 ERA), the slugger is 4 for 7 and he has avoided losing a career-worst third straight start last Wednesday in a 15-2 win at Milwaukee. Over seven innings, he allowed one run and struck out 10.

With David Wright going 2 for 11 with eight strikeouts and Jeff Francouer 3 for 16, other key New York hitters have not fared as well as Beltran against Lincecum. With Beltran back on Thursday, Francouer’s playing time will diminish. Angel Pagan will start Thursday in right field. Four games behind Atlanta are the second-place Mets.

Buster Posey, who was 15 for 27 with five homers and 14 RBIs in that stretch and the NL player of the week, the Giants won six of seven matches behind Posey.

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The entire right side of the diamond contains below-average bats, with a Rod Barajas/Omir Santos combination at catcher that should hit about .240, Daniel Murphy at first base and Jeff Francoeur in right field with some power but no ability to get on base, and Luis Castillo nothing but a singles hitter who plays poor defense. Angel Pagan and Fernando Tatis look to be the best bats on the bench, which is nothing to brag about.

As for pitching, Johan Santana gives the Mets a clear, dominant ace; however, the rest of the rotation is average at best. John Maine and Jon Niese could contribute ERAs in the low-4.00s, but Oliver Perez and Mike Pelfrey will have a hard time staying under a 5.00 ERA.

Francisco Rodriguez gives the Mets a shutdown closer, although he struggled at times last year. Kelvim Escobar, Pedro Feliciano, and Ryota Igarishi should be capable of limiting damage in the middle innings.

Ultimately, the Mets will rely on a small group of stars to score often and not allow runs, while hoping for overachievers to surface from somewhere else.

Also, don’t forget to check out their odds to win the World Series.

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