NEW YORK -- Though he's just one season removed from a major shoulder injury, Dillon Gee has already thrown a career-high 168 1/3 innings this season. And the Mets plan on continuing to let him pitch.

"We have had some discussions about that," said manager Jerry Manuel. "Unless we see a significant problem -- velocity, or stuff like that -- we will continue to use him."

Naturally, Gee -- who will start Monday's game against the Pirates -- couldn't be more pleased.

"It's nice to know," he said. "I'm not really thinking about it right now because I'm still feeling strong. They just told me to be honest with them if I feel like I'm hurting or if I hit a wall. As of right now, I'm just planning to go out there every five days and do my job."

Doing precisely that Tuesday in Washington, Gee fired seven innings of one-run ball in his big league debut. But he hasn't yet completely shaken some understandable rookie nerves.

"You don't want to get overconfident because then you lose focus," Gee said. "I'm still going to be nervous, but actually I think that helps me a little bit. I like to be nervous. It helps me focus a little more."

Beltran starts despite left knee tendinitis

NEW YORK -- Though the tendinitis in Carlos Beltran's left knee was still bothering him Sunday morning, Beltran was back in the Mets' lineup after a one-game absence, batting third and playing center field.

"It's not enough, but what can I do?" Beltran said of his brief rest. "I've played with this before, so I know my body. I know where I am. It's not a big deal."

Beltran, who has endured mild tendinitis in his left knee all season, felt it flare up after banging the knee Friday night against the Phillies. Though he has been treating the condition with ice, Beltran does not feel that he needs any additional rest.

"This is something that is not new for me," Beltran said. "I've dealt with this before, so I know how to handle it."

Beltran, who has struggled to regain his All-Star form since returning from offseason right knee surgery in July, is batting just .236 with three homers in 52 games after a 1-for-4 performance in Sunday's 3-0 defeat.

Though the Mets will watch him cautiously over the next few days, they expect him to continue to start regularly down the stretch in center field.

"I think it's something that kind of just flared up," said manager Jerry Manuel. "You calm it down and you get back to playing. But I think what we will do is when we get a chance to give him a break, we'll get him that break."

Nervous Duda off to tough big league start

NEW YORK -- This wasn't how Lucas Duda envisioned his first cup of coffee in the Major Leagues: sitting on an .034 average after 11 games and 29 at-bats.

"The thing is, I'm just real nervous out there," Duda said. "It's my first couple games in the big leagues. Ultimately, it's up to me to make a change."

Though Duda was relegated to pinch-hit duties in Sunday's 3-0 loss to the Phillies, the 24-year-old rookie has played regularly since joining the Mets earlier this month. With the Mets are all but out of the playoff chase, Duda will continue to start regularly in left field, attempting to regain the form that saw him hit .304 with 23 homers over two levels in the Minors.

"He's got what you would call a lively bat," said manager Jerry Manuel. "And he's got a pretty good discipline of the strike zone. Right now, I just think he's pressing a little bit."

Outside of the revelation that "this league is a little tougher than the international league," Duda hasn't quite been able to figure out the source of his September struggles. Nerves, he believes, might be the best explanation.

"To be honest with you, I've just been getting dominated," Duda said. "Obviously, it's not how you want to start. It's how you finish."

Johan won't fly for second opinion on tear

NEW YORK -- Injured left-hander Johan Santana won't be flying anywhere to receive a second opinion on his torn left shoulder capsule.

Instead, the Mets simply plan on sending Santana's MRI results to noted orthopedist James Andrews, who will review the data remotely.

Either way, it is all but certain that the left-hander will undergo surgery in the very near future. Santana is seeking only to confirm the original diagnosis of the Mets' medical staff.