Lance Berkman — the Stros’ best hitter over the past four seasons — has torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and will undergo surgery at Methodist Hospital in Houston within the next ten days. Although the Stros’ initial announcement this afternoon did not disclose how Berkman suffered the injury, it was disclosed later that Berkman suffered the injury playing flag football.
Normal recovery time from this type of injury is at least six months, so it is unlikely that Berkman will be ready for the start of the 2005 regular season. May or June is probably more realistic.
Just to give you an idea of how just how good a player Berkman is, Over the past 4 years, Berkman ranks 6th in the majors in runs created against average (“RCAA”, explained here):

1 Barry Bonds 597

2 Todd Helton 284

3 Albert Pujols 281

4 Jim Thome 250

5 Manny Ramirez 240

6 Lance Berkman 236

7 Jason Giambi 225

8 Alex Rodriguez 218

9 Jim Edmonds 216

10 Gary Sheffield 210

That’s pretty heady company.