For the second straight year in 2014, the New York Yankees experienced devastating injuries that helped lead to their missing the postseason -- the first back-to-back absences since 1993. Right-fielder Carlos Beltran was one of the players who just could not seem to stay healthy enough to give his best performance. Although he had only one stint on the disabled list (22 games from May 12 to June 5), he had many problems with his elbow, shoulder, and knee -- all on the right side -- to limit him to only 109 games. Even in those games, Beltran just could not perform up to the expected levels that convinced the Yankees to sign him to a three-year contract at age 37 before the season began.

Now, it appears that Beltran may have another one of his All-Star caliber seasons ready to break out. MLB.com's Bryan Hoch reports that Beltran is healthy and "ready to prove himself again" as one of the premiere players in the American League. 

According to Hoch, Beltran can swing, hit, field, run, and throw without any pain or discomfort. Hoch quoted Beltran speaking with YES Network discussing his new offseason workout program to ensure that he trains well while reducing the impact on his body. Said Beltran,

"The strengthening program, you know, we kind of basically did everything. So the range of motion is there, bending is there. That's the most important part of rehab, trying to be able to get that range of motion back.... There were things that I used to do that I don't do now. I used to go to the track a lot and do a lot of jumping, a lot of running. But now I don't do that; I do it in the pool, less impact. I try to train smart."

Beltran had the lowest offsensive output of his 17-year career in 2014. He slashed .233/.301/.402 with 15 HR, 49 RBI, and a -0.2 WAR. Those numbers are far below his career averages of .283/.356/.496, 24 HR, 88 RBI, and 4.5 WAR as a full-time player from 1999-2013. Those are the numbers that led to his three-year, $45-million contract that he signed on December 19, 2013. He has two years and $30-million left on that contract.

Although Beltran played only 31 games in right field and served as the DH 76 times last season, Hoch says the Yankees expect Beltran to patrol right field full-time in 2015. Brett Gardner and Jacoby Ellsbury will cover the spacious left side of the Yankee Stadium outfield (Gardner in left and Ellsbury in center). Beltran will get the much smaller right field. Of course, the Yankees will play 81 games in other ball parks.

The Yankees re-signed Chris Young as a fourth outfielder, but Young could find himself starting in right when Beltran needs a day off or plays DH. Young also gives the Yankees insurance in right in case Beltran gets hurt again or finds himself the full-time DH.

The Yankees also have huge contracts with other older and oft-injured players. The big three on this list are starting pitcher CC Sabathia, first baseman Mark Teixeira, and third baseman Alex Rodriguez (who may play more at first or DH than at third because of Chase Headley). Manager Joe Girardi will have to use his players wisely and know when to rest each one, but he is just the man who can do that. Even with the injuries that he had to work through for the last two years, Girardi kept his team in postseason contention until the final week each time.

The good news is that Sabathia has shown himself healthy, and with the punch back in Beltran's bat, the Yankees may show once again that veteran leadership and experience at chasing a postseason berth can pay off with large dividends. Derek Jeter is gone, but with the other veterans all back in the lineup and a talent-laiden bullpen, the Yankees will most likely still find themselves in the race as the 2015 season reaches its final days.