Lance Berkman has retired from baseball.

Berkman confirmed that news Wednesday to Richard Justice of MLB.com. The 37-year-old former first-round pick of the Astros spent 15 seasons at the major league level, batting .293/.406/.537 while tallying 366 career home runs in 1,879 career games. He has always been good in front of a microphone and will probably have multiple broadcasting offers if that's the route he decides to take in his post-playing days.

According to Travis Sawchik of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, the Pirates called about Lance Berkman but were told that he's leaning toward retirement.

It's not surprising if you've followed Berkman's comments to the media over the past couple of years. The 37-year-old battled multiple injuries with the Rangers this past season while batting just 242/.340/.359 with six home runs and 34 RBI in 73 games.

Rangers declined DH Lance Berkman's $12 million option for the 2014 season.

The veteran will get a $1 million buyout instead and is now a free agent. Berkman struggled mightily this season for the Rangers, batting just .242/.340/.359 with six home runs and 34 RBI in 73 games while fighting multiple injuries. The 37-year-old could be ready for retirement.

Making his first start in 13 days, Lance Berkman went 0-for-4 against the Rays on Monday.

Berkman is 0-for-11 since coming off the DL on Sept. 1. The Rangers can hardly afford to give him more opportunities to shake the rust with the way things are going right now.

Lance Berkman is in the Rangers' lineup on Monday.

It will be his first start since September 3. Berkman is still unable to swing comfortable from the right side of the plate due to hip and knee issues and will not get regular playing time over these final two weeks.

Lance Berkman is in the Rangers' lineup Sunday.

It's his first start since September 3. Berkman feels fine physically swinging from the left side of the plate, but the club has just chosen to go with other options at DH recently.

Lance Berkman hasn't started a game since September 3.

Although he's not able to swing from the right side of the plate yet, Berkman feels fine batting left-handed. However, the Rangers have chosen to use various other players in the DH spot ahead of him. "I'm an employee of the team," said Berkman. "I'll do whatever they want me to do. I come and try to be ready and whatever they decide to do, that's their prerogative." Berkman will begin swinging right-handed in the next few days.

Rangers activated DH Lance Berkman from the 15-day disabled list.

Berkman has been on the shelf since early July due to injuries to his knee and hip. The veteran slugger pondered retirement during the recovery process, and isn't a strong bet to say healthy the remainder of the season. Before hitting the DL, he was hitting .254/.355/.377 with six homers and 34 RBI in 68 games.

Lance Berkman (hip, knee) is expected to be activated on September 1.

Berkman said Monday that he's "ready right now" and will not require a rehab assignment. The veteran played in four rehab games earlier this month before being pulled off the assignment, but his chronically sore right knee is feeling better of late.

Lance Berkman (hip) did some light running on the warning track on Saturday, and could soon head out on a minor league rehab assignment.

In what has been a very slow and lengthy recovery process, Berkman appears as if he'll finally return to the Rangers lineup at some point in early September. The veteran slugger was hitting .254/.355/.377 with six homers and 34 RBI before hitting the DL.

Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News writes that the Rangers may hold out Lance Berkman (hip, knee) until September 1.

Berkman originally hoped to return this weekend, but the Rangers would apparently prefer that he takes some more time. The 37-year-old is 4-for-11 (.364) with one home run and three walks over four rehab games between Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock.

Lance Berkman (hip, knee) won't be activated from the disabled list Friday.

Berkman went 4-for-11 (.364) with one home run and three walks over four rehab games between Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock, but the Rangers aren't ready to make a roster move yet. The veteran slugger has been out since early July with hip and knee injuries.

Lance Berkman (hip, knee) went 1-for-4 in his second rehab game Sunday with Triple-A Round Rock.

Berkman homered and hit an RBI single in his rehab debut with Round Rock on Saturday. The veteran designated hitter is likely to return to the Rangers this weekend. His diminishing athleticism and lack of consistent good health make him a liability in fantasy leagues.

Lance Berkman (hip, knee) homered and had an RBI single in his first rehab game at Triple-A Round Rock Saturday.

Berkman has been on the DL for over a month due to left hip inflammation, though his chronic right knee injury is a bigger concern at this point. He's expected to be activated next weekend.

Lance Berkman (knee) will begin a minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday.

Berkman has been taking regular batting practice without any issues, the hold up has been his ability to run at 100 percent. He'll need a few games to get his timing back, but is expected to rejoin the Rangers by next weekend.

Lance Berkman (knee) expects to begin a minor league rehab assignment on Sunday or Monday.

Berkman wasn't running at 100 percent earlier this week, but he has been taking regular batting practice without issue. Barring any setbacks, the 37-year-old hopes to rejoin the Rangers next Friday.

Lance Berkman (knee) is taking regular batting practice but has only been able to run at 50 percent effort.

The veteran designated hitter is not nearly ready for a minor league rehab assignment, which means he is not close to activation. Berkman will try to run with a little more intensity Friday before the start of the Rangers' series against the Astros at Minute Maid Park.

Lance Berkman said Thursday that his goal is to begin a minor league rehab assignment by August 8 or 9.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reported Wednesday that Berkman was considering retiring and forfeiting the remainder of his one-year, $10 million, but the 37-year-old made it clear Thursday that he's "coming back." While his right knee has been an issue for him recently, he was able to run Thursday at about 50 percent. If all goes well, he should be back later this month.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal was told Thursday that Lance Berkman is not retiring.

There was a report that made the rounds Wednesday morning suggesting that Berkman was considering retiring and forfeiting the remainder of his one-year, $10 million pact with the Rangers. But that never made much sense. The ever-honest Puma told reporters in 2011 that "it's always about the money." He's on the disabled list right now with knee and hip problems, and might not play again this season.

Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News hears that reports of Lance Berkman walking away and forfeiting his remaining salary are "premature."

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reported that Berkman was mulling over whether to retire and give up the rest of his salary -- roughly $4.4 million -- but Grant hears that it's not a done deal yet. Still, he's not close to returning to the field and he's slated to meet with team officials Wednesday to discuss his situation.