Lance Berkman is leaning towards retiring after his second season with the Cardinals.

He is working his way back from right knee surgery and hopes to return to the team by Sept. 1 for the stretch run. The 36-year-old wants to make his retirement final once he decides to quit.

"I don't want to rule anything out. But if you asked me right now I'm leaning toward not playing next year," Berkman said.

"I don't want to say for certain because I don't want to do like Brett Favre and say, 'I retired; I'm not retired; I'm retired; I'm not retired.' I don't want to make that call right now, but if you put a gun to my head and demand an answer today I would tell you I'm probably not going to play next year."