Berkman Will Have Knee Examined

HOUSTON - Houston Astros first baseman Lance Berkman will have his bruised left knee examined Friday in Kissimmee, Fla. by team physician Dr. David Lintner.

Berkman, who suffered the injury running the bases, missed the team's spring opener, but has played in five games and is hitting .364.

The injury was initially diagnosed as a knee contusion.

Because of the examination Berkman will not play In Friday's game against Toronto in Dunedin, Fla.

"It really hasn't hindered me that much," Berkman said in an interview with FOX 26 Sports. It's really more of a comfort-level thing. It continues to swell.

"I had it drained a couple of times. Of course that's not fun. Just want to get that taken care of."

Berkman does not believe this injury will cause him to miss any significant time.

"No, I don't think so," Berkman said. "That's one of the reasons Dr. Lintner wants to come down and take a look at it himself.

"He has not examined it personally. They just want to make sure that we are all on the same page with the diagnosis."

The last thing the Astros need is for Berkman to suffer an injury that is made worse by playing and the problem lingers during the regular season.

"He's able to play and do the drills," said Ed Wade, Astros general manager. "The fact he is still experiencing some swelling and some fluid build-up, that gives us pause to at least make sure that he gets seenby Dr. Lintner and see where we are at this point in time."