Lance Berkman Hopes to Return Tuesday

St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Lance Berkman underwent an MRI yesterday that revealed a “minor” tear in his calf.  While a torn calf, even a minor one, sounds significant, Berkman and the St. Louis Cardinals are confident that the slugger will be able to return Tuesday.

After the tear was announced, Berkman told Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that it’s “more than reasonable” to think that he’ll be able to rejoin the Cardinals by Tuesday.

Initially when word of Berkman’s calf injury was announced, neither he nor the Cardinals were sure if a trip to the disabled list would be required.  Berkman sustained the injury while legging out a triple during Tuesday’s contest against the Cincinnati Reds.

Before the calf tear was labeled “minor”, Berkman had already listed himself as doubtful for the Cardinals home opener tonight and likely for the entire weekend series.

Berkman told reporters that a similar injury sustained in 2009 did require a trip to the DL.  However, it’s not expected that the veteran will be required to miss significant time while recovering from his current injury.

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