Berkman's knee surgery might lead to retirement

Cardinals first baseman Lance Berkman was scheduled to undergo season-ending knee surgery on Tuesday, and it could lead to his retirement, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Tuesday.

Berkman had a second MRI in less than two weeks on Monday, at which time it was determined surgery was needed.

He needs additional meniscus shaved from a knee that has already undergone three surgeries, including one in May.

He had had additional problems since getting hit in the knee by pitch from the Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw in July.

"Ever since I got hit in the knee by Kershaw I've been having issues with it grabbing whenever I get in certain positions," Berkman told the Post-Dispatch. "They don't know if it's scar tissue or whether part of my cartilage has come loose and is flapping around in there. I've had three surgeries on the joint; it's not going to look pretty. There is something going on in there."

He rejoined the Cardinals on Sept. 1 and made one start and two pinch-hit appearances.

In recent weeks, Berkman, 36, has mentioned the possibility of retirement several times. At this point, he is not making any announcement about his future plans, however.

"I'm leaving my options open," he said.

He hit .263 with two homers in 31 games this season after hitting .301 with 31 homers a year ago in 145 games.