Astros' Berkman bruises knee, will miss spring opener

KISSIMEE, Fla. -- Houston All-Star first baseman Lance Berkman will sit out the Astros' spring training opener Thursday after bruising his left knee.

Berkman, 34, complained of soreness and swelling in his knee after Monday's workout. He had an MRI exam Monday night that revealed a contusion, and the results were sent to Houston to be further examined by team physician Dr. David Lintner.

Berkman's left knee has bothered him in the past, and he had it scoped in 1999.

He said Tuesday that the knee started aching during the offseason, but he wasn't overly concerned heading into training camp. He thinks he tweaked the knee running bases during Sunday's workout.

"Obviously, it's concerning when your knee swells up the first time you're running the bases in spikes," Berkman said. "Whatever it is, it's minor, even in the worst-case scenario. I want to get out there as quickly as I can. I want to be on the field, out there with everybody, getting ready to go."

Berkman will sit out the next few days and get treatment to decrease the swelling, the team said. He is officially listed as day-to-day.

Berkman missed 18 games last season with a left calf strain and batted .274, a career low for a full season. The five-time All-Star is entering the final season of a six-year, $85 million contract extension which he signed in 2005.