Berkman questionable for Opening Day

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Berkman

KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Lance Berkman is expected to miss two to four weeks after having knee surgery to remove loose cartilage from his left knee.

Astros manager Brad Mills said that the surgery on Saturday showed there was no damage to the meniscus or ligaments. The timetable for Berkman's recovery puts him in jeopardy of missing Opening Day.

"From my understanding, they were able to clean everything up without any cartilage damage," Mills said. "The level of concern has gone way down because of that. The doctor says he's fine. I have all the confidence in the world that he's going to be fine."

Mills said that the team would not move Carlos Lee or any other outfielder to first if Berkman is out for the start of the season.

Berkman's backup, Geoff Blum, went 1 for 4 with an RBI for an Astros split squad that topped the Nationals 8-7 on Saturday. Chris Shelton and Jeff Keppinger could also see time at first.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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