Berkman placed on DL

The Astros placed first baseman Lance Berkman and pitchers Yorman Bazardo and Alberto Arias on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday, retroactive to March 26. They will be eligible to come off the DL on April 10, meaning they will miss the first four games of the season.

“Obviously it stinks to have to start the year on the DL, but I’ll get off quick and never look back,” Berkman said. “I hate missing any games at all, but as long as it doesn’t turn into an ordeal. Really just being eligible to come off Saturday (April 10) is good news.”

Berkman had arthroscopic knee surgery March 13 to clean out loose particles in his left knee and was progressing until he suffered a setback Tuesday.

Arias and Bazardo have right shoulder problems.

The moves leave the Astros with 26 players, meaning they have to make more cut to get down to 25 players.