Read More: Lance Berkman (1B - STL), Matt Carpenter (3B - STL), St. Louis Cardinals

Lance Berkman's calf injury, which began as a lingering issue, lingers still: Berkman and the St. Louis Cardinals were hoping he'd be able to test his injured left leg over the weekend, but Joe Strauss reported Monday that the team trainers didn't think he was ready.

Berkman, who played 145 games last season, has missed 15 already this season; he's hitting .348/.500/.522 in seven games. Matt Carpenter has gamely covered his absence, hitting .267/.333/.467 and earning most of the starts so far at first base, but with Allen Craig due back this week it looks like the Cardinals will have no need to rush their limping slugger back.

Berkman hit .301/.412/.547 in 2011, his first season with the Cardinals, as their surprise starter in right field. The 164 OPS+ was a career high at age-35 for the former Houston Astros star. More Cardinals coverage from SB Nation St. Louis: