Rangers using caution with Beltran

HOUSTON — Rangers outfielder Carlos Beltran was out of the lineup in Sunday’s 5-3, 11-inning win over the Astros, one day after leaving a 3-2 victory over the Astros with a bruise on his left quadriceps.

“He is better today than he was last night,” Rangers manager Jeff Banister said before Sunday’s game. “My point is being cautious. Not concerned, but cautious. He still feels the bruise, day game after a night game. He has been in every game. I want to give him a day down.”

Beltran bruised the muscle on a play at home plate as he was thrown out trying to score from first on a seventh-inning double by Rougned Odor. He had started the game in right field after being used at designated hitter for four straight games since being acquired from the Yankees on Monday.

“Yeah, after that play, I felt a weakness sensation,” Beltran said. “I was trying to make it go away, but it didn’t go away. Today I feel a little sore, so I’ll take a day and see where I am tomorrow.”

The Rangers will be in Colorado on Monday for the first of two games vs. the Rockies at Coors Field. There will be no designated hitter used in the National League park, so Texas has the option of giving Beltran, who lined out in a pinch-hit at-bat in the 10th inning Sunday, two extra days of rest.

Banister said the original plan was to use Beltran in the outfield in at least one of the two games.

“We are not in Colorado yet, so I haven’t changed anything,” Banister …

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