"Texas Rangers president Nolan Ryan confirmed in a radio interview that the team will explore the possibility of trading for Cardinals outfielder Lance Berkman.

Rangers right fielder Nelson Cruz suffered a hamstring injury Sunday and will be sidelined at least three weeks. The Dallas Morning News reported Monday that Berkman was the club's "prime target" should the Rangers go outside the organization to replace Cruz, who has 28 homers and 84 RBIs.

Speaking on ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM, Ryan said: "Obviously with Nellie going out like he is, not knowing when he's going to be back and we got a tough schedule ahead of us, anything we can do to help the ballclub, we're certainly going to look at it.

"Lance is having an outstanding year with the Cardinals. So is that a possibility? I guess you could say it's remote, but ... with a player of Lance's caliber, if that's a possibility, you certainly have to give it consideration."

Berkman has cleared waivers, but the Cardinals are reluctant to move him without significant return. Berkman, who is on a one-year contract, has said that his "first choice" would be to re-sign with the Cardinals for 2012."