When Will Albert Pujols Take Part In Spring Training Games?

Los Angeles Angels first baseman Albert Pujols is still recovering from off-season arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. When can the Angels expect the slugger to participate in games this spring?

Los Angeles believes Pujols will make his Cactus League debut sometime in mid-March in which case he would then be physically ready for Opening Day on April 1. Just because the 33-year old will not be able to suit up for any games anytime soon does not mean that he has not been taking batting practice with the rest of the team, or training defensively at first base.

It just means he has yet to do anything full speed and probably won’t until several weeks from now.

“We’ll see where he is week to week,” manager Mike Scioscia said. “Right now he feels really good targeting Opening Day being ready. If he’s playing by mid-March, he’s fine. That’s probably the back end of what he needs. I think if he’s ready sooner, fine, we can work him in. I think he’s approaching it the way he needs to.”

Obviously, the Angels are in no hurry to rush their prime acquisition from a year ago onto the field when he technically does not need to be there. If the organization feels that he can still be game ready by the time April rolls around, then he is doing everything he needs to do.

Pujols will get some extra protection this season with the signing of Josh Hamilton, which means he is expected to put up better numbers then he did last year. Overall, Los Angeles should be a better team in 2013 and should compete for the American League West crown with ease with Mike Trout, Pujols, Hamilton and Mark Trumbo leading the way on offense.