Rangers rumors: Lance Berkman is NOT retiring

Rumors of Berkman’s imminent retirement started swirling in the midst of Wednesday afternoon’s deadline. Rosenthal reported that the Berkman was considering immediate retirement and that the veteran had a meeting scheduled to discuss his with the front office for sometime Wednesday.

Rosenthal added that six-time All-Star was planning to forfeit all of the $4.4 million left on his salary this season, but Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News called that report “premature.”

It’s unclear at this point whether Berkman has actually met with the Rangers -- Anthony Andro of FOX Sports Southwest reports that he had not met with anyone as of Wednesday evening -- but it may be a moot point if Berkman indeed has no plans to throw in the towel early.

Berkman, 37, was signed by the Rangers over the winter to a one-year, $10 million deal with a $12 million team option for 2014. Things started off well for the switch-hitter -- he’s hitting .254/.355/.377 with six home runs in 68 games -- but hip and knee injuries have sidelined him since July 7.

Berkman told Andro earlier this week that time was running out to have a positive impact on the team, which may have fueled Wednesday’s more escalated rumors:

“You’ve got to fish or cut bait and I think we’re getting to that point rather quickly,” Berkman said.

Apparently Berkman plans to try fishing a little longer.

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