Lance Berkman (calf) took swings in a batting cage Wednesday for a second consecutive day. Berkman was also able to hit some soft toss. The veteran first baseman is expected to be ready to rejoin the Cardinals as soon has his time on the 15-day disabled list is up. He's batting .348/.500/.522 with two doubles and two RBI in 30 plate appearances this season.

Cardinals placed 1B Lance Berkman on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 19, with a strained left calf. As expected. Berkman originally hurt his calf on April 10 and then aggravated the ailment on Wednesday. It's not clear at this point how long he'll be out, but he reportedly didn't make the injury worse Wednesday, so a minimum stint would seem to be possible. Matt Carpenter will handle first base while Puma is out.

Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said Lance Berkman (calf) will be placed on the disabled list prior to Friday's game. Not surprising. Berkman missed four games last week with his left calf ailment and then aggravated the injury in Wednesday's game. Especially with Matt Carpenter hitting so well and the Cards' record sitting at 9-3, it makes sense to play it safe with the veteran. Assuming he gets through Thursday's rehab game OK, Skip Schumaker will be activated from the disabled list a few days early to replace Berkman on the roster.

Lance Berkman told reporters Wednesday that it's "possible" he will need a stint on the disabled list. Berkman aggravated his left calf injury in the fifth inning of Wednesday's victory over the Reds. He's already missed four games because of lingering discomfort, and the only way to fully heal that is rest. Look for Matt Carpenter to fill in at first base in Thursday's matinee against Cincinnati (and perhaps for the next two weeks).

Lance Berkman left Wednesday's game in the fifth inning after aggravating his left calf injury. The Cardinals are calling him day-to-day right now, but Berkman had just returned Tuesday after missing four games, so we've got to this the disabled list is a possibility this time around. They have a nice fall-back option at first base in the hot-hitting Matt Carpenter. Puma's status should be clarified further Thursday.

Lance Berkman returned to action on Tuesday April 17.

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said both Lance Berkman (calf) and David Freese (finger) could return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Mets. St. Louis is off on Monday. Berkman and Freese both say they will be ready to roll on Tuesday, but Matheny will have final say. Freese hasn't played since Friday and Berkman has been out of the lineup since Tuesday.

As expected, Lance Berkman (calf) is not in the lineup for Friday's home opener. Berkman is expected to miss the Cardinals' entire weekend series with the Cubs before possibly returning on Tuesday against the Reds. Matt Carpenter is making another start in his place on Friday.

An MRI taken Thursday on Lance Berkman's left calf revealed a minor muscle tear. Berkman suffered the injury while running the bases earlier this week in a game against the Reds. He will avoid the 15-day disabled list and is expected to return to the Cardinals' starting lineup next Tuesday, so it's mostly good news for the veteran first baseman. Matt Carpenter will presumably continue to fill in.

Lance Berkman will get an MRI on his left calf Thursday. Berkman was pulled from Tuesday's game against the Reds after feeling tightness in the calf and did not play Wednesday. He could need a stint on the disabled list if the MRI reveals a strain. Matt Carpenter has been filling in at first base for the Cardinals, who have their home opener Friday afternoon against the Cubs. Berkman also struggled with calf issues during the 2009 season.