Player Page

Weather | Roster

Lance Berkman | Designated Hitter

Team: Texas Rangers
Age / DOB:  (37) / 2/10/1976
Ht / Wt:  6'1' / 220
Bats / Throws: Switch / Left
College: Rice
Contract: view contract details
Share: 

Latest News

Recent News

Lance Berkman went 0-for-3 with a walk in Thursday's win against the Tigers.
Rather quietly, Big Puma is getting on base just like he did in his heyday (.414 OBP). Over the last two years (238 plate appearances), however, Berkman has just five home runs. Fantasy owners are certainly hoping for more, and Berkman may just oblige over a scorching summer in Texas. It's equally likely that Fat Elvis' prestigious power is a thing of the past. He's stayed in the league as a 37-year-old designated hitter by not selling out walks (second in the AL, currently) for monster fence-targeting swings. May 16 - 11:40 PM

Highest Searched Players over the last 7 days


Player News

Date:
Lance Berkman - DH - Rangers

Lance Berkman had a two-run homer and a two-run single Wednesday in the rout of the Angels.

The homer was just Berkman's second, but he's cruising along with a cool .345 average. He's also walked 14 times in 17 games, so he's been a really nice No. 3 hitter for the Rangers thus far.
Apr 25 - 1:41 AM
Lance Berkman - DH - Rangers

Lance Berkman is in Friday's lineup against the Mariners as the designated hitter.

Berkman didn't play this week in Chicago, partially because the DH wasn't available under NL rules, but also because of the chilly and wet weather. Jeff Baker is starting at first base Friday with southpaw Joe Saunders on the hill for Seattle.
Related: Jeff Baker
Source: ESPN Dallas
Apr 19 - 4:56 PM
Lance Berkman - DH - Rangers

Lance Berkman is not in the Rangers' starting lineup on Saturday evening against the Mariners.

It's a routine day of maintenance for the veteran designated hitter. He should play in Sunday's series finale.
Source: MLBlogs.com
Apr 13 - 5:25 PM
Lance Berkman - DH - Rangers

Lance Berkman isn't in Wednesday's lineup against the Rays.

Berkman is just getting the day off. Nelson Cruz will serve as the DH on Wednesday while Jeff Baker will play right field. The start of Wednesday's game will be delayed at least one hour due to rain, but they are going to try to get it in.
Related: Nelson Cruz, Jeff Baker
Source: ESPN Dallas
Apr 10 - 12:02 PM
Lance Berkman - DH - Rangers

Lance Berkman went 3-for-4 with two RBI in the Rangers' win over the Rays on Tuesday.

Berkman now has seven RBI through the Rangers' first eight games. The 37-year-old is thriving in the middle of Texas' lineup, batting a robust .480. The designated hitter role seems to suit Berkman well.
Apr 9 - 10:58 PM
Lance Berkman - DH - Rangers

Lance Berkman will make his spring debut at first base on Monday night.

Berkman has been limited to DH duties so far this spring, but he's finally ready to play the field. The veteran slugger is expected to function as the team's primary DH during the season, but he may also see occasional playing time at first base.
Source: Drew Davison on Twitter
Mar 18 - 4:24 PM
Lance Berkman - DH - Rangers

Rangers manager Ron Washington said Thursday that Lance Berkman will play first base "very soon."

Berkman has experienced no issues with his calf or knees since making his Cactus League debut a few weeks ago. The veteran slugger is expected to play primarily at DH this season, but Texas can also use him at first base when it makes sense and he's feeling up to it. Berkman, a career-long National Leaguer, has been "chomping at the bit" to get some time on defense, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News.
Source: Dallas Morning News
Mar 14 - 3:39 PM
Lance Berkman - DH - Rangers

Lance Berkman launched a solo homer in Wednesday's win over the Cubs.

Berkman's first Cactus League extra-base hit was a big one. The longball came from the right side of the plate against Cubs' southpaw Hisanori Takahashi. Berkman should be a nice fantasy option as the Rangers' DH this year as long as he stays healthy, but obviously that's far from a given.
Mar 6 - 6:27 PM
Lance Berkman - DH - Rangers

Lance Berkman (calf) went 1-for-2 with two runs scored in his Cactus League debut Thursday.

Berkman had been battling a right calf strain. "I’m about where you’d expect after not having played last year," Berkman said. "I saw the ball well, but the timing obviously is not there yet. Hopefully I’ll get into the rhythm of playing and the timing will come." Rangers manager Ron Washington said he'll likely play Berkman every other day for the time being.
Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Mar 1 - 10:12 AM
Lance Berkman - DH - Rangers

Lance Berkman (calf) is scheduled to make his Cactus League debut later this week.

Berkman had been told that he'll play Wednesday, but he could be delayed a day after Sunday's running session was postponed by cold weather. "This is really not a big deal at all," he said. "For a guy in my position, this is just general soreness you'd like to see abate before playing in a game."
Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Feb 25 - 11:20 AM
Lance Berkman - DH - Rangers

Lance Berkman (calf) was cleared to run the bases Saturday.

Berkman is believed to be closer to returning than Adrian Beltre (calf), but the Rangers have no plans to rush him back. The 37-year-old is doubtful to see any action in the early part of spring training and will instead focus on getting ready for Opening Day.
Source: Rangers.mlb.com
Feb 23 - 3:44 PM
Lance Berkman - DH - Rangers

Lance Berkman was diagnosed with a mild right calf strain.

Berkman said it's "slightly more than usual soreness," so it sounds like he'll be shut down for a few days until the discomfort dissipates. It's worth noting that the 37-year-old missed a month last season with a left calf strain. This might not be as serious, but it points to the fact that the Rangers made a pretty big gamble by signing him to a one-year, $10 million contract over the winter.
Source: Evan Grant on Twitter
Feb 20 - 11:25 AM
Lance Berkman - DH - Rangers

Lance Berkman said his surgically-repaired right knee is at about 80 percent.

Berkman had a pair of surgeries on the knee last season and was limited to just 32 games. Even though he's still not up to 100 percent, he has no limitations with his hitting in camp and said he's capable of taking grounders at first base. The Rangers are focused on getting him ready for Opening Day rather than the beginning of the Cactus League schedule, which starts in a week. "If we need to, we can get him at-bats in a minor league game," manager Ron Washington said.
Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Feb 17 - 10:08 AM
Lance Berkman - DH - Rangers

Rangers manager Ron Washington said Thursday that he plans to bat Lance Berkman third during the upcoming season.

It's not surprising, as Berkman would slide into the spot vacated by Josh Hamilton, following Elvis Andrus and preceding Adrian Beltre. Obviously, that's not a bad spot to be in. "Big Puma" is likely in line for a bounce-back season if he can manage to stay healthy.
Source: Anthony Andro on Twitter
Jan 10 - 7:29 PM

Depth Charts

Batters
PosRoleName
C1A.J. Pierzynski
2Geovany Soto
1B1Mitch Moreland
2B1Ian Kinsler
2Jurickson Profar
3Leury Garcia
SS1Elvis Andrus
3B1Adrian Beltre
LF1David Murphy
2Jeff Baker
CF1Leonys Martin
2Craig Gentry
RF1Nelson Cruz
DH1Lance Berkman
Starting Pitcher
PosRoleName
S1Matt Harrison
2Yu Darvish
3Derek Holland
4Alexi Ogando
5Nick Tepesch
6Justin Grimm
7Colby Lewis
8Neftali Feliz
9Ross Wolf
Relief Pitcher
PosRoleName
R1Joe Nathan
2Joakim Soria
3Tanner Scheppers
4Robbie Ross
5Jason Frasor
6Michael Kirkman
7Joseph Ortiz
8Neal Cotts
9Justin Miller