Lance Berkman has been on the disabled list since July 7 with hip and knee problems, but the veteran designated hitter said yesterday that he’ll wait until at least September 1 to be activated by Texas.
Berkman explained to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com that waiting until rosters expand will make things easier on the Rangers, who otherwise would have to drop someone from the roster to make room for him.
Sullivan also notes that Berkman “would likely come back in a limited role, either as a part-time designated hitter or a pinch-hitter off the bench.” He feels good enough to come off the disabled list now, but is far from 100 percent healthy because his right knee “is not great, but it’s not going to be.”
Berkman didn’t show much power before going on the DL, but did draw a ton of walks and get on base at a solid .355 clip in 68 games.