Gerry Fraley of the Dallas Morning News suspects that the Rangers might try to trade for Lance Berkman. Berkman passed through waivers last week and can now be dealt to any team. If it looks like Nelson Cruz's latest hamstring injury is going to linger, the Rangers might just make an inquiry. A 35-year-old impending free agent, Berkman is batting .289 with a .975 OPS, 30 home runs and 81 RBI through 118 games this season.

Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Lance Berkman has cleared waivers and may be traded to any team without risk of the move being blocked. It's surprising that the leading contender for NL Comeback Player of the Year passed through waivers. It's unclear at this point if the Cardinals have had any serious discussions about dealing him, but he surely will draw some interest. Berkman is on a one-year, $8 million contract before becoming a free agent after the season. Strauss also notes that Ryan Theriot passed through waivers unclaimed, though it would be a surprise if anyone wanted him.

Lance Berkman said Wednesday that he would like to return to the Cardinals next season. "Oh yeah, absolutely," said Berkman. "This would be my first choice." Berkman, who signed a one-year, $8 million contract over the winter, has proven to be one of the biggest surprises in baseball this season, batting .290/.403/.573 with 29 homers, 78 RBI and a .975 OPS over 457 plate appearances. Of course, Albert Pujols will also be a free agent following the season and the Cardinals have to have to make decisions on the options for Chris Carpenter, Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina, so they might not be able to afford to keep him.

Lance Berkman went 0-for-3 with a walk in Sunday's victory over the Cubs. One of the biggest surprises of 2011, Berkman has cooled off considerably in August, with no homers and five RBI in 61 at-bats. The tough-pitching Dodgers are next up.

Free-agent-to-be Lance Berkman says retirement will be a possibility this offseason. "At this stage of my career, it's safe to say that if I'm not thrilled with the opportunities out there for me after this season, this would be it," Berkman said on Friday. Although the market has shifted dramatically in favor of younger players the fast few seasons, it's hard to believe no one will be willing to overpay a soon-to-be 36-year-old slugger coming of a total resurgence. Berkman should be back for a 14th major-league season in 2012, quite possibly with the Cardinals.

Lance Berkman returned to action on Sunday July 31.

Lance Berkman hit a three-run homer for the Cardinals' only runs against the Cubs on Sunday night. Berkman's up to 28 homers, his high total since 2008. With two more bombs, he'll have his sixth career 30-homer season.

Lance Berkman (shoulder) is in Sunday's lineup, batting fifth and playing right field. Berkman hasn't played since aggravating a previous shoulder injury on Tuesday. Big Puma will draw Cubs starter Ryan Dempster in his return, a pitcher he's torched for five HR and a .276/.417/.552 line over 58 career AB.

Lance Berkman (shoulder) is not in Saturday's lineup. It's the fourth straight start he's missed due to an ailing right shoulder. Berkman has felt better since getting a pain-killing injection Wednesday, but the Cardinals want to make sure he won't aggravate the ailment before they re-insert him into the lineup. He could play Sunday.

Lance Berkman (shoulder) is out of the lineup for the third straight day Friday. Not completely unexpected. Berkman received a pain-killing injection in his ailing right shoulder on Wednesday, so the Cardinals aren't going to rush him back into action. Corey Patterson will make the start in right field Friday and bat leadoff against Cubs' right-hander Matt Garza. Yes, the same Patterson who has a career .292 on-base percentage.