ARLINGTON, Texas -- Lance Berkman hasn't swung a bat since slipping down a staircase late Thursday night, but the Texas Rangers' designated hitter said he doesn't think he'll need to go on the disabled list.
Berkman, who was not in the lineup against the Cincinnati Reds, said he didn't think he'd be available, even as a pinch hitter, on Sunday.
Berkman has been dealing with soreness in his right knee since the fall happened after the Rangers' arrival back from New York to Texas on Thursday night. He has missed the Rangers' last two games.
The 37-year-old veteran twisted his knee on a slippery staircase. Berkman has had four surgeries on the right knee, and has been dealing with soreness off and on all season.
"It doesn't tolerate trauma that well," Berkman said. "It hurts."
Berkman likened the freak injury to blowing out his ACL in a flag football game after the 2004 playoffs when he was with the Houston Astros. Berkman has played in only two of the Rangers' last nine games.
He is batting .198 for the last 25 games to drop his average from .306 to .263.
Todd Wills covers the Rangers for ESPNDallas.com.