Carlos Beltran informed New York Mets manager Terry Collins that he will be moving from center field to right field, according to Adam Rubin of ESPN.com.
"I came today thinking in my heart, 'I still think I can play center field,'" Beltran said, according to Rubin. "But, at the same time, this is not about Carlos. This is about team."
Beltran has only started at right field for three games during his baseball career — all of which were with the Kansas City Royals in 2000.
Collins, in his first year as manager of the Mets, was pleased to see Beltran volunteer to make the move in the best interest of the team.
"I am impressed with the way this whole thing has been handled," Collins said.
Angel Pagan will take over the center field position for the Mets and should easily make the transition from right to center; Pagan played center field for the first half of last season while Beltran was recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery.
Beltran, 33, is in the last season of a seven-year, $119 million contract.
"I'm looking forward to saving my knees for the long run," Beltran said to Rubin.
