The Texas Rangers took a chance by signing 37-year-old Lance Berkman in the offseason to replace Michael Young as the team's designated hitter. On Feb. 20, Dallas Morning News columnist Evan Grant reported that Berkman is out with a mild calf strain, an injury that limited him in 2012 as well.
Berkman said the pain is more than usual, so Texas has shut the slugger down for the next few days. Luckily, it is just spring training, but this same injury caused him to miss a month in 2012 while Berkman was playing for the St. Louis Cardinals.
The strained calf is added onto the surgically repaired right knee, which Berkman said last week was only at about 80 percent. Thanks to the surgeries on the knee, and the strained calf, Berkman only played in 32 games. Texas is more concerned about getting Berkman ready for Opening Day, and he isn't expected to take part in Cactus League play.
It almost makes one question the $10 million that Texas will pay the slugger this season.
Manager Ron Washington even threw out the fact that they can get Berkman at bats in minor league games if need be. Lance Berkman is expected to bat third in the lineup this year for the Texas Rangers.
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