" Carlos Beltran is eligible to come off the disabled list when the Giants open their homestand Tuesday, but it's anyone's guess if it'll happen.

"It's improving slowly," Beltran said of his strained right hand. "We all wish it could heal faster, but it's one of those injuries where we just have to approach it day by day."

On Friday, Beltran swung in a cage, feeling strong right-handed but weak left-handed. He plans to take on-field batting practice today for the first time since he sustained the injury on Aug. 7, in his 11th game as a Giant.

"I want to be out there," said Beltran, who was acquired in a deadline deal that sent top pitching prospect Zack Wheeler to the Mets. "No one wants to be out there more than myself, but there's nothing I can do. I don't expect to be 100 percent. I just expect to be able to swing, because 100 percent is unrealistic right now."

Beltran said he wouldn't consider swinging exclusively right-handed, and manager Bruce Bochy said the Giants wouldn't activate the right fielder until he's able to swing from both sides of the plate, but Bochy added, "It doesn't mean we'd rule it out, with the way we're banged up right now."

Beltran said the latest MRI exam showed less inflammation, but not enough improvement to make a significant difference."