After falling down the stairs while getting off a plane Friday, Lance Berkman continues to have right knee issues. He has missed the last three games. However, the Texas Rangers designated hitter said he doesn’t believe he’ll need to go on the disabled list, according to The Dallas Morning News.
“It was a nasty fall,” said Rangers manager Ron Washington.
Berkman’s right knee has been a bit of an issue throughout his career. It has already been the focus of four surgeries. It also seems to be hampering his play this season.
The first two full months of the season, Berkman played a combined 47 games (20 in April and 27 in May and he also played in the Rangers first game on March 31). However, in June he played in only 16. Also, it seems the injury is not only affecting Berkman’s playing time but his performance as well.
In April, Berkman was off to a great start with a .309 batting average, two homeruns and 12 runs batted in, according to ESPN.com. Although his BA dropped in May to .265, he still hit two homeruns and drove in 13.
June brought a different story and possibly stronger knee issues. The former Houston Astro hit .194 last month with two HR and six RBIs. Those two homeruns were Berkman’s only extra-base hits for the entire month.
The Rangers are hoping the day off the team had yesterday will be good for Berkman and help him get back on the field. Berkman is hoping to return to the line-up in tonight’s game against the Seattle Mariners. According to the Associated Press, whether or not that will happen is an uncertainty.
(highlights done by SuperPedroiafan15)
