Lance Berkman’s nickname, when he is hurt, is Fat Elvis.  When he is hitting bombs, you can go ahead and refer to him as Big Puma.

The Houston Astros All-Star first baseman has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a left knee injury that just won’t seem to go away.  He underwent arthroscopic surgery on March 13 the knee got all mangled and swollen within the first few days of Spring Training.

Initially, the club said Berkman would miss only two to four weeks, but now it looks like The King will be out for a couple more.  They lied to you, Houston fans.

Berkman, now 34 years old and heading into his contract year, is all too familiar with nagging knee issues. He had surgery on the left knee back in 1999 and then again following the 2004 season on his right knee after tearing a  ligament.

In other Astros news, the team also placed right-handed pitchers Alberto Arias and Yorman Bazardo on the DL, both with shoulder injuries.