ATLANTA -- Lance Berkman, fresh off a four-game rehab stint with Triple-A Round Rock, met the Houston Astros on Thursday at Turner Field in Atlanta, where he is expected to play Friday when he is activated from the disabled list.

The Astros will announce a corresponding move at the time in order to make room for Berkman on the 25-man roster.

Berkman took regular batting practice with the Astros and jokingly wished he could delay the comeback by another day or two.

"It's not really that exciting to think about coming off the DL and having to face (John) Smoltz immediately," Berkman said. "If I was going to pick a series or road trip to come off the DL, this probably wouldn't be it, for the Marlins and Braves."

All kidding aside, the Astros desperately need Berkman in their lineup. It's no secret that their offense is scaring no one these days -- not even the hapless Pittsburgh Pirates, who ended a six-year curse and finally won a series at Minute Maid Park earlier this week.

The Astros are hoping Berkman's mere presence will alter the attitude of opposing pitchers, even if it takes awhile for the outfielder to regain his timing.

"When you put a guy of his stature in the lineup, it pushes everybody where they're supposed to be, more or less," Garner said. "Even though his numbers may not be what you might expect -- when he comes back from an injury he might struggle early on -- but everybody else is slotted properly, they'll end up being a little bit better."

Berkman lobbied Garner to make an earlier return, to no avail. He played four games with the Extended Spring club and four with Round Rock, going 4-for-14 during his time with the Express.

"I went and played two games in Round Rock and felt like I could have played in the Pirates series," Berkman said. "But they wanted me to go and play in a couple more games. I humored them, and here I am."

Berkman said his knee is still sore -- "definitely not 100 percent" -- but that it is to the point where he can play. He feels confident he'll be able to play the way he did before he tore his ACL, with the exception of a few tricks in the outfield.

"I can't come to an abrupt stop," he said. "I have to use the transmission to stop instead of the brakes."

Jeff Bagwell  /   1B
		Born: 05/27/68 Height: 6'0" Weight: 215 lbs Bats: R / Throws: R More info: Player page Stats | Splits Gallery Team Site | Shop

Bagwell out, again: Garner held off filling out his lineup card until after batting practice Thursday, to give Jeff Bagwell a chance to take a few swings and decide if he could play. The verdict was the same as Wednesday: Bagwell sat, and Jose Vizcaino played first base, batting third.

"He was not able to swing like he would like to swing, like we'd like him to swing," Garner said. "I think he was afraid that if he did swing and miss or if he did have a couple funny swings, he may get some increased pain and set him back a couple days or something. It was better to go ahead and take the day off."

Bagwell has not missed two games in a row since 1998 when he was on the disabled list with a lacerated knee. He has been taking regular cortisone shots in his arthritic right shoulder every six weeks, but considering he received his last one just before Opening Day, he's not due for another one for at least 10 more days.

Bagwell will continue to be monitored on a day-to-day basis, and he said after Thursday's game it's too early to tell if he will play Friday.

"I need to feel a little bit better than I did tonight," Bagwell said. "Hopefully a little bit of rest -- I didn't do much today -- hopefully it'll be better tomorrow.

"Once in a while, guys need a couple days. It just doesn't happen that often with me, so it makes for a big deal. Just let my shoulder calm down a little bit, so I can go out there and be productive for this club."

Swatting flies: While meeting with reporters for his daily question and answer session, Garner stood up and took a couple of swats at two large flies that had been taking up residency in his office.

After noticing the flies had retreated into his bathroom, Garner excused himself, shut the door and made quite a ruckus as he continued his battle with the two critters. Loud noises included -- but were not limited to -- towel swatting and several emphatic grunts.

Garner emerged from the bathroom with his shirt untucked and his hair a mess. Breathing heavily and coughing a bit, he slumped back into his chair.

"I missed 'em both," he admitted.

Coming up: The Astros and Braves continue their four-game set on Friday at Turner Field, beginning at 6:35 p.m. CT. Right-hander Roy Oswalt (4-2, 3.29) will face Braves righty John Smoltz (2-3, 3.22).