LA Angels Injury News: Pujols Undergoes Toe Surgery, May Miss Start of 2016 Season
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim will likely miss the services of veteran slugger Albert Pujols in the start of the 2016 season due to a surgery on his right foot that requires him to be out of any baseball-related activity for at least four months.
The Dominican-American player decided to go for surgery last week to repair the planter plate in his right foot. Because of this development, Pujols is expected to get the injury off his back when the season begins next year, even if it means that he may not be suiting up for Opening Day since the expected return will be in March. Although there is no official word yet, it looks certain that starting in his place is C.J. Cron.
Pujols, 36, is coming in his fifth year with the Angels after signing a contract worth $240 million for 10 years. Incidentally, he also had a partial tear of the plantar fascia, but it was in his left foot. The recurring pain in his right foot caused him to surrender his position in the latter part of last season, limiting him as a designated hitter. But he wasn't successful at that, too, batting a career low of .240, though he did score 40 home runs, which happens to be his highest total in five years, according to a Sports Illustrated report.
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The slugger was a relative unknown when he expressed his intentions to enter the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft. Only a few teams took notice because majority of them were not sure what Pujols would bring to the table. Selected 402nd overall, he proved doubters wrong when he carved out a successful career in St. Louis for the Cardinals.
The Angels will be opening the new season by April 4 against the Chicago Cubs. This is the same game that Pujols isn't expected to play, unless substantial improvement on his rehabilitation happens. According to general manager Bill Eppler, the 2001 NL Rookie of the Year is expected to spend majority of his time rehabilitating in Kansas City.
