New York ? Mets center fielder Carlos Beltran went for an MRI exam on Monday to make sure his left knee is only bruised, and he was out of the lineup for the second consecutive game.

Preliminary reports were good, New York general manager Omar Minaya said. The team was waiting for another opinion as well.

“I’m sure he’s going to be fine,” manager Willie Randolph said. “He’ll let me know when he’s ready to play.”

Beltran was hurt while crashing into the left-center fence to make a ninth-inning catch Saturday night in Houston, leaving a dent in the fence.

Endy Chavez started in center again Monday night against the Atlanta Braves in the opener of a three-game series.