The Astros plan to reach out to Lance Berkman about a possible return to the franchise.

"Lance can still produce at the Major League level," Jeff Luhnow said. "He's a guy a lot of clubs are going to be interested in. We'll have a conversation with him and see where it goes."

Berkman, who's been hobbled by bad knees the past few years, could get extended time at designated hitter for the Astros.

"He is an offensive weapon and has been his entire career," Luhnow said. "No matter how you get that bat in the lineup – and obviously in the AL you have an opportunity to use him as a DH – he's an offensive force, no question about it."