Not a lot was expected out of Lance Berkman in his return to the outfield—but unfortunately for the St. Louis Cardinals, he was determined to prove the skeptics wrong. Berkman made an outstanding play in right field, diving forward to catch a looper that nearly dropped in, and was rewarded for his effort by twisting his wrist upon contact with the ground. Derrick Goold of the Post-Dispatch reported midgame that the exit—which didn't happen immediately—was precautionary. Berkman was replaced by infielder Tyler Greene, who was brought in for defense at second base after Allen Craig replaced another injured outfielder, Matt Holliday. (Pete Kozma came in to make his Major League debut at second base.)
Berkman, who hasn't played full time in the outfield since the Cardinals and his Houston Astros tangled in the 2004 and 2005 NLCS, has looked competent, if not extremely mobile, in his return to the outfield. Should he miss an extended amount of time he's likely to be replaced in the outfield by backups Jon Jay and Allen Craig—if either of them isn't busy replacing other injured starters.