Post by John on Jun 23, 2006 16:52:52 GMT -4
Pujols returns after spending three weeks on DL
June 22, 2006
CBS SportsLine.com wire reports
CHICAGO -- Albert Pujols came off the disabled list Thursday and returned to the St. Louis Cardinals' lineup for their series finale against the Chicago White Sox.
The 2005 NL MVP played first base and batted third. He lined out to left field in his first at-bat.
The Cardinals made two other moves before the game, putting struggling left-hander Mark Mulder on the 15-day disabled list with a shoulder strain and sending Chris Duncan to Triple-A Memphis.
A large contingent of Cardinals fans at U.S. Cellular Field cheered loudly when Pujols' name was announced in the starting lineup. He had been out since straining a muscle on his side June 3. The Cardinals went 8-7 without him.
"It's been hard, but it's part of the game and you have to deal with it," said Pujols, who was still tied for the major league home run lead with 25 and was second in RBI with 65. "Hopefully, it will only happen one time in your career, but anything can happen in this game."
Pujols began hitting in a cage this week and then moved to the field for batting practice in addition to running and taking grounders.
"I feel the same way that I've been feeling the last three days. I feel like I can play and that's it," he said. "I feel great since I've been starting to hit."
And Pujols said he didn't want to return as a designated hitter in the interleague series.
"I don't want to get cold, fatigued or could get tight. I'd rather be out there and loose in my position," he said. "Plus I'll be back on Monday, back home and we don't have the DH in the National League, so why am I going to DH? I don't want to do something that I don't do naturally. I want to do something that I do every day and that's play my defense."
Pujols said he finally decided he was ready once his legs were in shape.
"This is the day we were looking for," he said.
Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said trainer Barry Weinberg wanted to wait one more day before giving Pujols the green light.
"I'll take responsibility," La Russa said. "He would have another work day today and another day to recover, that was it. But all along he's moved quicker than normal. That indicates he's in shape and he's been smart about doing his work."
Mulder, who is just 1-4 in his last six starts, was tagged Tuesday by the White Sox, giving up nine earned runs and 10 hits in 2 1/3 innings.
"He couldn't throw his bullpen today," La Russa said.
"We were going to throw in the bullpen today, just to see if he could get there. But we canceled the bullpen, because in the training room he couldn't get his arm up. He can't get his arm extended into his throwing slot, whatever is preventing it."
Duncan, the son of St. Louis pitching coach Dave Duncan, batted .275 in 17 games with three homers and nine RBI.
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
June 22, 2006
CBS SportsLine.com wire reports
CHICAGO -- Albert Pujols came off the disabled list Thursday and returned to the St. Louis Cardinals' lineup for their series finale against the Chicago White Sox.
The 2005 NL MVP played first base and batted third. He lined out to left field in his first at-bat.
The Cardinals made two other moves before the game, putting struggling left-hander Mark Mulder on the 15-day disabled list with a shoulder strain and sending Chris Duncan to Triple-A Memphis.
A large contingent of Cardinals fans at U.S. Cellular Field cheered loudly when Pujols' name was announced in the starting lineup. He had been out since straining a muscle on his side June 3. The Cardinals went 8-7 without him.
"It's been hard, but it's part of the game and you have to deal with it," said Pujols, who was still tied for the major league home run lead with 25 and was second in RBI with 65. "Hopefully, it will only happen one time in your career, but anything can happen in this game."
Pujols began hitting in a cage this week and then moved to the field for batting practice in addition to running and taking grounders.
"I feel the same way that I've been feeling the last three days. I feel like I can play and that's it," he said. "I feel great since I've been starting to hit."
And Pujols said he didn't want to return as a designated hitter in the interleague series.
"I don't want to get cold, fatigued or could get tight. I'd rather be out there and loose in my position," he said. "Plus I'll be back on Monday, back home and we don't have the DH in the National League, so why am I going to DH? I don't want to do something that I don't do naturally. I want to do something that I do every day and that's play my defense."
Pujols said he finally decided he was ready once his legs were in shape.
"This is the day we were looking for," he said.
Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said trainer Barry Weinberg wanted to wait one more day before giving Pujols the green light.
"I'll take responsibility," La Russa said. "He would have another work day today and another day to recover, that was it. But all along he's moved quicker than normal. That indicates he's in shape and he's been smart about doing his work."
Mulder, who is just 1-4 in his last six starts, was tagged Tuesday by the White Sox, giving up nine earned runs and 10 hits in 2 1/3 innings.
"He couldn't throw his bullpen today," La Russa said.
"We were going to throw in the bullpen today, just to see if he could get there. But we canceled the bullpen, because in the training room he couldn't get his arm up. He can't get his arm extended into his throwing slot, whatever is preventing it."
Duncan, the son of St. Louis pitching coach Dave Duncan, batted .275 in 17 games with three homers and nine RBI.
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service