FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that Lance Berkman is considering retiring and forfeiting the remainder of his salary. Berkman is dealing with nagging soreness in his right knee and isn't close to returning to game action. The 37-year-old is scheduled to meet with team officials on Wednesday, so a decision could be made soon. If he walks away, he would give up about $4.4 million.

Lance Berkman reiterated Tuesday that he's considering shutting it down for the rest of the season or retiring due to nagging soreness in his surgically-repaired right knee. "You've got to fish or cut bait and I think we're getting to that point rather quickly," Berkman said. Berkman took batting practice Tuesday and hopes to do so again Wednesday, but his bat isn't close to major league ready at the moment. "Running is the main thing right now and I think mechanically my swing isn't in a good place because of my knee, not because of pain, but because of the inability to put it in a position it needs to be to hit with any kind of authority," Berkman said. "You can go up there and slap the ball around. That's really not what we need."

Lance Berkman felt lingering pain in his surgically-repaired right knee Tuesday while jogging. The veteran slugger seems likely to shut it down for good at some point in the near future. He was batting .254/.355/.377 in 68 games this year for the Rangers.

Lance Berkman admitted Wednesday that he's considered retirement due to nagging soreness in his surgically-repaired right knee.

Lance Berkman (hip) admitted Wednesday that he's "probably still not quite ready" to return to the lineup. In addition to his hip ailment, Berkman also has chronic soreness in his right knee, which he has had operated on four times. He is taking batting practice but has yet to do any real running. "He's progressing, but it's slow," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "We just have to let it go through the process. He'll let us know when he's ready."

Lance Berkman (hip) took batting practice Monday. It's the first time he's done so since landing on the disabled list with left hip inflammation. Berkman said he felt better while swinging from the left side of the plate but overall things went well. He's not interested in going out on a rehab assignment, so it appears that he could be activated pretty soon. "Just whenever I can do the things pain free is the goal," Berkman said.

Lance Berkman (hip) could be cleared to take live batting practice Monday. Berkman resumed hitting activities Friday and is close to being sent on a rehab assignment. Assuming he avoids setbacks, he could rejoin the Rangers' lineup next weekend.

Lance Berkman (hip) hit in the batting cages on Friday, the first time he has been able to do so since being placed on the disabled list. While he's eligible to be activated from the disabled list on Monday, he'll first need a minor league rehab assignment. If all goes well, he could rejoin the Rangers' lineup next weekend. He'll return to a disappointing .254/.355/.377 line with six homers and 34 RBI through 68 games.

Lance Berkman (hip) didn't participate in the Rangers' team workout on Thursday. Berkman said last week that he expected to be activated on July 22, the first day he's eligible, but that doesn't seem likely. T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com writes that there is "no indication" when the designated hitter might be ready to return.

Lance Berkman (hip) believes he'll be activated from the disabled list on July 22, the first day he's eligible. Berkman said this despite admitting Thursday that he's felt no noticeable improvement in his inflamed left hip. The designated hitter has been on the DL since last Saturday, when he injured himself lunging for first base. He'll obviously need to experience some improvement soon in order to return in just over a week.