Los Angeles Angels first baseman Albert Pujols underwent surgery on his right foot last week, according to Brandon Wile of The Score. Pujols is expected to resume baseball activities in four-and-a-half months.
The surgery went well, according to a statement by Angels General Manager Billy Eppler. However, the protracted recovery time will likely keep Pujols out until late March, meaning he may miss the start of the 2016 season.
Following down years in 2013 and 2014, the first two seasons in his illustrious fourteen year career that saw him hit fewer than thirty home runs, Pujols enjoyed career revival of sorts in 2015. He clubbed forty homers, his highest total since 2010, and was named to the American League All Star team.
However, he struggled over the final month of the season. The injury to his foot forced him into a designated hitter’s role, and lowered his batting average below .250 for the season. He hit just .224 over his final twenty-eight games and had to endure multiple injections in his foot to deal with the pain. His .244 batting average to finish the season marked the lowest single season batting average of his career. His previous low, .258, came in an injury-shortened 2013 season, during which he played in just ninety-nine games.
If Pujols is forced to miss a portion of the 2016 season, the Angels would be in a tough spot offensively. According to Fangraphs, the Angels featured an offense ranked in the bottom half of the league, 18th overall, last season. They ranked 27th out of thirty teams in team batting average. Without Pujols, a career .312 hitter, the Angels could find themselves in an even worse position. They will certainly look to add some firepower at the upcoming winter meetings.
Pujols signed his current deal with the Angels prior to the 2012 season, and is under contract with the club for another six seasons.
Main Photo:
