The “Big Puma” Goes Down

Going into 2010, the Houston Astros don’t have very high expectations. If they want to have any chance of competing this year, they are going to need a lot of players to exceed expectations and the few star players they have need to produce and stay healthy.

Unfortunately for the Astros the staying healthy part has gotten off to a rough start.

According to various reports, Astros’ star first baseman Lance Berkman will have surgery to remove loose particles in his left knee. The surgery will be performed today by Dr. David Crumbie and Berkman will miss two-to-four weeks.

Berkman could miss Opening Day

With this surgery, it’s possible that Berkman could miss Opening Day. Berkman hurt his knee during a baserunning drill about two weeks ago.

A baserunning drill? Really? I think it is quite possible the “Big Puma,” or “Fat Elvis,” or whatever you want to call him is breaking down right before our eyes.

Berkman is 34-years-old now and is no spring chicken. We saw him last year battle injuries to his shoulder, wrist, lower leg, back, and knee. Berkman’s injuries caused him to miss 26 games last year and have the lowest OPS (.907) since his 34 game audition in 1999.

If Berkman only plays in 130 or so games in 2010, the Astros will have less of a chance at a playoff spot than they already have. While the “Big Puma” is out this spring Houston will look to Geoff Blum (yuck) to fill his shoes.

Berkman will be entering his 12th season in the major leagues and has a career hitting line of .299/.412/.555 with 313 home runs, 359 doubles, and 1,041 RBI’s all with the Astros.

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