Albert Pujols is dealing with a painful foot injury and will be the DH for the foreseeable future in Los Angeles. Mark Trumbo, a promising middle of the order bat, will take over all defensive duties until Pujols is feeling better.
A star Free Agent signing in 2012, Pujols is dealing with plantar fasciitis, an inflammation in his left foot. The ailment is considered very painful and Pujols himself has said he’s “dying” and it’s “hurting real bad”.
The hunch is this is not an injury Pujols can effectively play through all season, and if he does he may not be able to return to the field, though the Angels see things differently.
The Angels believe their slugger can recover as the season continues with some time away from the field but foot injuries always have the chance of lingering. Benefit of the doubt has to be given to the player for now, as Pujols has reportedly been dealing with the same ailment off and on since he was in his mid 20’s.
Still, signed to a 10 year, $240 million dollar deal and having just turned 33 in season two, it’s not encouraging for anybody in the Angels’ Front Office to know their franchise bat is dealing with reoccurring and extremely painful injuries.
More troublesome, is if Pujols has to become a full-time DH sooner rather than later, as it’s unlikely the Angels paid him 24 million dollars per season with the idea he would spend 80% of his contract only hitting. Couple that with the fact Albert’s HR totals have gone down three consecutive years and his batting average for four consecutive seasons.
The situation will be one to closely monitor throughout the season and possibly into next year.
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