ST. LOUIS (AP) — All-Star slugger Lance Berkman is out of the lineup again for the St. Louis Cardinals in the opener of a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs.
Berkman, who leads the National League with 27 home runs, was hurt Sunday in the ninth inning at Pittsburgh. He singled to left field and said when he got to first base, he felt a mild strain in his right rotator cuff.
He did not play Monday, then started Tuesday but played just four innings before being lifted.
The six-time All-Star had an MRI on Wednesday and received a cortisone shot in the muscle. Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said Berkman can pinch-hit Friday.
