Los Angeles Angels first baseman Albert Pujols is recovering from offseason foot surgery, leaving his status for the start of the 2016 MLB campaign in jeopardy.
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Pujols Not Expected to Play on Opening Day
Thursday, Feb. 18
The Associated Press' Mike Cranston reported on Pujols' status ahead of the Angels' season opener, which is on April 4 against the Chicago Cubs at Angel Stadium.
"The doctors have given the timeline, but if you know Albert, you know he always come back quicker than the timeline given," said manager Mike Scioscia, per Cranston. "But we're definitely not going to sacrifice a lion's share of the season to get him back maybe two weeks before he should."
Even at the age of 36, Pujols has remained productive. Despite hitting just .244 last season, he still ripped 40 home runs and 95 RBI. It was his most home runs since 2010, though it was just the second time in his 15-year career he failed to reach the 100-RBI plateau.
Pujols' one-dimensional power numbers from the plate in 2015 were perhaps partly the result of a plantar fascia injury he played through for much of the season and which required the aforementioned surgery in November.
Pujols remains one of the most prominent power hitters of his generation, evidenced by his long list of awards and accolades that includes three National League MVPs, 10 All-Star Game appearances, the 2001 Rookie of the Year Award, the batting title in 2003, two Gold Gloves and six Silver Slugger Awards.
Between 2005-10, he finished with the best WAR among National League position players each season, per Baseball-Reference.com.
While he isn't quite the dominant force he was during his time with the St. Louis Cardinals, he's paired with Mike Trout and Kole Calhoun to give the Angels a solid trio of power hitters in the middle of the lineup. With Pujols sidelined, the Angels will turn to C.J. Cron (.262, 16 home runs, 51 RBI in 2015) to replace him.
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