Angels’ Albert Pujols Playing Through Considerable Pain
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Jason Wise/MLB Photos via Getty Images(NEW YORK) — While the Los Angeles Angels try to pull themselves out of their early-season funk, the same could be said about Albert Pujols. The first baseman admits his slow start is in large part due to foot pain.
“I’m dying,” Pujols told the Los Angeles Times. “It’s hurting real bad.”
On Sunday, Pujols played in his fourth straight game as the team’s designated hitter. Still, he’s having trouble at his natural position on first base. Pujols says he’s dealing with plantar fasciitis, which is an inflammation he’s experiencing in his left foot.
Despite his pain, Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto says Pujols will remain in the lineup until he can’t tolerate the pain anymore.
“He is particularly tough, mentally and physically. He’s handling it as well as you can,” Dipoto told the paper.
While Pujols is struggling, he’s not hurting his team at the plate. He’s still batting .279 with two home runs and is also sporting a .398 on-base percentage. He is in the second year of a 10-year contract worth $240 million.
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