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Angels general manager Billy Eppler told
reporters Pujols is expected to be ready for spring training
next year.
Asked if extra reps at first base this season, caused by the
emergence of Shohei Ohtani at designated hitter, factored into
Pujols' injury, Eppler declined to speculate.
"We'll wait to hear what the doctors say moving forward," he
said.
Pujols, 38, spent a short stint on the disabled list in July due
to left knee inflammation, receiving a platelet-rich plasma
injection at the time. He returned July 23 and has played
regularly since, hitting .193 with only two home runs and nine
RBIs in 23 games this month.
Pujols hit .245 with 19 home runs and 64 RBIs on the season.
"Albert is one of the most durable players I've ever seen or
been around," Eppler said. "I don't know if there was a day this
season that you would have said he's 100 percent, but he plays
through a lot. He plays through discomfort. He endures a lot and
doesn't talk a lot about it. But I can tell you that he's
definitely someone that wants to play and fights through a lot
of adversity to make sure he's out there and contributing to the
club."
This year marks the first season in which Pujols failed to hit
20 or more home runs since 2013, when he had 17 in 99 games. His
64 RBIs will tie a career low set in 2013.
Pujols, who notched his 3,000th hit and passed Ken Griffey Jr.
for sixth place on the all-time home run list earlier this year,
is still owed $87 million over the next three seasons on the
10-year, $240 million megadeal he signed with the Angels in
2011.
--Field Level Media
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