Beltran, Sore but Eager, Returns as Fans Exhale BOSTON - For Cardinals fans, it was a depressing sight: with their team already trailing the Red Sox in the second inning of Game 1, Carlos Beltran, St. Louis's switch-hitting star, was clutching his ribs in pain. He had just crashed into the short bullpen wall while saving his team the indignity of allowing a grand slam to Boston's David Ortiz. Beltran was found to have a right rib contusion and was taken to a hospital for further examination. But on Thursday, he was in the lineup for Game 2, batting second and giving the Cardinals hope. "It shows you how bad he wants to play," John Mozeliak, the Cardinals" general manager, said. It took him so long to get to the World Series, and in the second inning, to be taken out of a game, obviously he was disappointed. I know he's worked very hard over the last 20 hours to get to this point. Asked what Beltran had done in the previous 20 hours, Mozeliak said, "They've been giving him any medical care they can in trying to push him through this." For the Cardinals to even the series, they needed a productive Beltran. Entering the World Series, he had driven in 12 runs in 11 postseason games. In the National League Championship Series, he drove in all three runs in a 3-2 win over the Dodgers in Game 1, then went 3 for 4 in the series-clinching Game 6. The rib injury was likely to limit Beltran's ability to swing effectively, Mozeliak indicated. But Beltran took batting practice, and he was deemed able to play. "You could obviously tell that Carlos was in some pain," Cardinals outfielder Jon Jay said, "but hopefully he can be able to contribute." Mozeliak said, "Right now, he says he feels good." BUCHHOLZ'S STIFF SHOULDER One of the top talents in the Red Sox" rotation, Clay Buchholz, will probably only make one start this World Series, if he pitches at all. He revealed Wednesday night that he had been bothered by stiffness in his pitching shoulder. Manager John Farrell said he would give Buchholz as much time as he could, but he also indicated Buchholz would start Game 4 on Sunday in St. Louis. "We fully expect him to go," Farrell said Thursday. Buchholz missed three months of the season with neck and shoulder problems, and he returned for four September starts. He pitched well, but in the postseason, against Tampa Bay and Detroit, he seemed to wear down late. His one start against the Rays, in Game 3, was the Red Sox" only loss in the American League division series. Buchholz shut out the Rays for four innings, then allowed three runs in the fifth. His two starts against the Tigers in the American League Championship Series, in Games 2 and 6, followed a similar pattern: in each game, he pitched well until the hitters got to him in the sixth. Boston won both games. If Buchholz cannot pitch Game 4, the left-hander Felix Doubront might start. Doubront posted a 4.32 earned run average in 27 starts this season but was used as a reliever in the A.L.C.S. RIVERA HONORED AT SERIES The Yankees did not make the postseason for the first time since 2008, but Mariano Rivera found himself at center stage again. Before Game 2, Commissioner Bud Selig presented the newly retired Rivera with the Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award. Selig praised Rivera as a role model. Rivera, in a light mood, joked that he had decided not to retire and would maybe try the National League this time. He reiterated it was a joke. He also suggested he would stop by Yankee spring training next year, just to say hello. The award was last issued to Ken Griffey Jr. in 2011. Other recipients included Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Roberto Clemente, Tony Gwynn, Rickey Henderson, Mark McGwire, Cal Ripken Jr., Sammy Sosa, Ichiro Suzuki and Rachel Robinson.