Lance Berkman (knee) hopes to be activated from the disabled list Saturday. Berkman went through a "vigorous" workout Thursday before the Cardinals departed for Cincinnati and thinks he'll be ready to play Saturday. Manager Mike Matheny wouldn't commit to activating him at that time but said it would come sometime during the team's six-game road trip to start the second half. Matheny also added that Berkman "physically, so far, he's checked all the boxes" and is "actually running better than I've seen him in a while." The manager said it's possible Berkman could see some playing time in right field, in addition to first base, as the Cards look for ways to fit their abundance of bats into the lineup.

Lance Berkman (knee) will not be activated from the disabled list Friday. Berkman has successfully lobbied to avoid a minor league rehab assignment, but the Cardinals want to see him make it through some baseball activities first. However, Cardinals manager Mike Matheny indicated Thursday that the 36-year-old will likely be will be activated at some point during the team's upcoming six-game road trip.

Lance Berkman (knee) said Thursday that he's "ready to go to Cincinnati," where the Cardinals open the second half. But the Cardinals might prefer him to get his timing right against live competition on a minor league rehab assignment. Berkman has been out since mid-May with a torn meniscus that eventually required surgery.

Lance Berkman (knee) will begin a rehab assignment next weekend, likely at Double-A Springfield. Berkman had been hoping to be back in the Cardinals' lineup for the start of the second half, but it appears that he'll likely meet up with them on July 16 in Milwaukee after their first post-break series in Cincinnati. Berkman said his surgically-repaired right knee "feels really good. It's just about getting back into baseball shape. The good thing about this is that I didn't have a lot of swelling. That helped to speed the recovery."

Lance Berkman (knee) will go on a rehab assignment before returning from the disabled list. Berkman previously indicated that he didn't think he'd need one, but he's been out for seven weeks, so it makes sense to let him knock some rust off in the minors for a couple games. The 36-year-old is on track to return for the start of the second half if he can avoid a setback.

Lance Berkman (knee) fielded grounders Wednesday at Busch Stadium. Berkman continues to ramp up baseball activities following surgery in late May to repair a meniscus tear in his right knee. The 36-year-old hopes to return shortly after the All-Star break.

Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch told a local radio program Monday morning that Lance Bekrman (knee) is aiming to return shortly after the All-Star break. Berkman has been on the disabled list since undergoing surgery in late May to correct a meniscus tear in his right knee. The 14-year MLB veteran has been working out at his home in Houston for the past month and doesn't feel like he'll need a minor league rehab assignment. It's great news for the Cardinals, who have been battered by injuries throughout the 2012 season.

Lance Berkman (knee) will rejoin the Cardinals on Sunday to continue his rehab. Berkman has been rehabbing his surgically-repaired right knee at home in Houston to this point, but he'll now work with the Cards' training staff and provide some personality to the clubhouse. He remains ahead of schedule and is hoping to be back sometime in July, but early August is probably a more realistic scenario.

Lance Berkman (knee) expects to be return in July. The Cardinals projected a rehab of 8-10 weeks immediately following surgery, but Berkman believes he'll be back sooner. "Basically, I'm assuming the first part of July," he said. "If there's a setback, then right after the All-Star break." Berkman has already shed his crutches and was able to avoid a microfracture procedure that would have extended his rehab. An early July return is the best-case scenario. Matt Adams and Allen Craig will see regular at-bats at first base in the interim.

Lance Berkman will be sidelined 8-10 weeks after having surgery Friday to repair a meniscus tear.