First baseman Albert Pujols has been placed on the disabled list by the Anaheim Angels. The first baseman/designated hitter may need surgery to correct a torn plantar fascia in his left foot. The timetable for the return from this injury is unknown.
Pujols foot has been bothering him all season long, and he previously indicated that he will need off-season surgery to correct the problme. However, after aggravating the injury in Friday’s game with the Oakland Athletics, that surgery may not be able to wait until the offseason.
Prior to Saturday’s game against Okaland, as Pujols was being sent for further testing on his foot, Angels manager Mike Scoscia said, “It’s more sore than anything he’s dealt with all season. We’ll get some direction from the doctor and see where he is.”
If surgery is necessary, it could be sideline Pujols for the rest of the Major League season. Further tests to determine the extent of the partial tear are necessary first, however.
Pujols, is in the 2nd year of the 10-year, $250 million free agent contract he signed with the Angels in December 2011. He has posted a .258/.330/.437 batting line in 99 games this season, numbers that are certainly less than what the Angels expected when they lured the slugger out of St. Louis.
The Angels recalled Kole Calhoun from Triple-A Salt Lake City to fill Pujols’ spot on the 25-man roster. Anaheim is currently 12 games back of Oakland in the American League West.
Mark Truombo is expected to play first base, while Mike Trout will take Pujols role as the number 3 hitter in the Angels lineup.
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