Adrian Beltre’s debut with his new team will have to wait a short while. Kendry Morales has reason to celebrate: He should be ready for the start of the season.

Beltre, the Rangers’ new third baseman, will miss at least the first week of spring training games because of a strained right calf that is still bothering him.

“It’s better to happen now than the season,” Beltre said Friday in Surprise, Ariz. “Now is enough time to be ready to break camp healthy, 100 percent.”

Assistant general manager Thad Levine said the Rangers will be cautious with Beltre after an MRI showed an over-extension of the muscle but no tear.

Texas signed Beltre last month to an $80 million, five-year contract that can also include an additional sixth season for $16 million more.

The Rangers expect Beltre to be ready for the start of the season April 1 against Boston.

“I think we’re handling this in a very responsible and conservative matter considering where we are in the spring and the nature of who the player is,” Levine said.

Beltre said he initially felt discomfort in the calf after working out on a treadmill at home before reporting to spring training.

In Tempe, Ariz., Angels manager Mike Scioscia said Morales should be ready to play by opening day. The slugger’s 2010 season ended when he broke his leg while jumping on home plate to celebrate a game-ending grand slam.

Morales, a first baseman, is expected to see early spring action as a designated hitter. Should his recovery extend into the regular season and leave him at DH, Scioscia could be forced to alter what figures to be a set outfield of Vernon Wells in left field, Peter Bourjos in center and Torii Hunter in right in order to keep current DH Bobby Abreu’s bat in the lineup.

“When (Morales) gets to 100 percent, he’ll be out on the field,” Scioscia said. “What the time table (is) for that to happen, remains to be seen. We’ve got a long way until opening day.

Scioscia added: “The last week, 10 days of spring training, hopefully he’ll be in the rotation at first base.”

Scioscia said Morales would hit every day if he needed, either during games or on practice fields, and the time needed for a player to be ready to play defense is less than the time it takes a hitter.

In Scottsdale, Ariz., Tim Lincecum had butterflies, admittedly nervous taking the field with the added hype as a World Series winner.

Fittingly, the World Series champion Giants won a familiar one-run decision with a 7-6 victory against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the majors’ first spring training game.

The champs took the field to roaring cheers at Scottsdale Stadium, where a logo painted on the grass behind home plate read “2010 WORLD CHAMPIONS.”

“Before the game there was a buzz,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “We appreciate it. I told these guys: ‘You should be honored. You’ve earned this.”‘

Lincecum threw 33 pitches over 12/3 innings. He struck out one and was tagged for three runs and five hits.

In Fort Myers, Fla., Twins outfielder Michael Cuddyer could miss the next few days because of a painful wart on his left foot.

Cuddyer tried to treat the wart himself with medication this winter, but it ended up getting infected.