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Albert Pujols has underwhelmed since coming to the Angels largely due to age and health. It appears those injuries won’t be going away anytime soon.
Two days ago, Pujols had surgery to repair the plantar fascia in his right foot.
As for the timing, there is this bit of news.
GM Billy Eppler said Albert Pujols’ foot “pain was getting progressively worse” since season’s end, after a shockwave therapy did not take.
— Pedro Moura (@pedromoura) December 3, 2016
It’s unfortunate since this is Pujols’ third plantar fascia injury and his third overall surgery in five seasons since coming to the team. He is scheduled to resume baseball activities in three months and actual baseball games in four.
Perhaps the most important caveat, however, is that he will not be able to have the offseason routine he seeks. He attributed last season’s slow start to the lack of a routine in the winter due to a similar surgery.
“I’m going to be ready to play first base. Hopefully I’ll get to train the way I want and I’ll come back as a first baseman. I want to get back on the field.”
Pujols being a first baseman next year is highly improbable, but his dedication to baseball is admirable. And even though he is not as healthy as he would like, he is still staying on the field. Pujols has played over 150 games in four out of the five seasons he has been an Angel.
And for a baseball player that is now approaching his late-thirties, that alone speaks volumes of his character.