Los Angeles, CA – St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Lance Berkman was helped off the field at the conclusion of the second inning of Saturday night's game against the Dodgers with a right knee injury.
Berkman stretched to make the catch at first after a routine ground ball hit to shortstop Rafael Furcal off the bat of Justin Sellers. Berkman seemed to put pressure on his right knee before he crumpled to the ground. He was assisted off the field by manager Mike Matheny and an assistant trainer Chris Conroy. Berkman will be evaluated Sunday, but for now it's described as a mild strain of his right knee. Berkman cannot get full extension of his right leg.
"That's the nature of the game," Matheny said. "It's an opportunity for someone else to step in. That's how we look at it. We just have to play better."
It was just last Sunday when the Cardinals activated Berkman from the disabled list. The six-time All-Star was placed on the DL on April 20 (retroactive to April 19) with a strained left calf.
Berkman, who was replaced at first base by Matt Carpenter, is hitting .333 with a homer and four RBI this season.
The Cardinals lost, 6-0, Saturday night, their seventh defeat in nine games.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.