Berkman expects to return to Cardinals' lineup soon

ST. LOUIS -- Lance Berkman expects to be back in the St. Louis Cardinals' lineup soon after the All-Star break. Maybe even the first day back.

"Yeah, it's possible," Berkman said Monday after joining the team to continue rehab from a right knee injury. "It wouldn't shock me. I'm not banking on it, but at the same time I'm not ruling it out."

The first baseman has been sidelined since undergoing surgery in late May that turned out to be relatively minor. Berkman said that swelling was minimal after the procedure, and he began running a week ago. He added that his rehab was right on schedule.

"I haven't run into any trouble yet and don't anticipate that I will," Berkman said. "So far it's worked exactly like we anticipated."

The switch-hitting Berkman took 25 swings of soft toss from each side several hours before the Cardinals played the Colorado Rockies. He'll have to get into baseball shape before taking a rehab assignment. Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said Berkman hasn't done much side to side movement yet, and Berkman said he wanted to be able to tolerate 100 swings from each side.

Matheny said the timetable was "pretty vague" for the 36-year-old Berkman, the comeback player of the year last season after batting .301 with 31 homers and 94 RBIs. "He looks like he's fit and ready to go. It's just going to be how he responds to every test that we give him."

The Cardinals' first game after the break is July 13 at Cincinnati.

Berkman was batting .333 with one homer and four RBIs in just 13 games. He joked that Allen Craig has done so well starting at first base that he may return as a reserve. Craig was batting .311 with 11 homers, 11 doubles and 39 RBIs in 39 games.

"You don't want to come back and hamper the team," Berkman said. "Heck, I may be coming back as a pinch hitter."

Last year's World Series champions have had to weather several injuries. Chris Carpenter has yet to pitch due to a nerve issue in his shoulder, while left-hander Jaime Garcia likely will miss another month with a shoulder strain. Craig and Jon Jay also have missed extended periods.

Garcia and reliever Kyle McClellan begin throwing programs today. McClellan is not expected back until August.

"I think the best baseball is in front of this team," Berkman said.