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| Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols will not need a rehab assignment when he returns from the disabled list, something that may happen immediately after the All- Star break. - Photo courtesy of thebiglead.com |
Pujols, who was originally diagnosed with a fractured bone in his wrist, was scheduled to be out four to six weeks. But "El Hombre" seems to be an incredibly fast healer and could be back immediately after the All-Star break and possibly even before, although the team is taking a cautious approach.
Although the team says they are going to remain cautious, Pujols' return is definitely on the horizon. Manager Tony La Russa is already answering questions regarding rehab assignments, something he feels is not necessary for Pujols.
"He doesn't need it," La Russa told Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "He could go to Sept. 1 and take 'X' number of simulations and be ready."
Pujols has been out of the lineup since June 19th when he sufferred the wrist injury. The slugger is hitting .279 on the season with 17 home runs and 45 RBI's. Those numbers are below the normal output for Pujols who is a career .329 hitter.
La Russa feels confident though that Pujols can figure it out at the plate quickly without a rehab assignment, even after missing significant time.
"A guy like that doesn't need it," La Russa said. "They're experienced. They're talented. They're smart. They do work and they get a lot out of it. Experience is a great equalizer."
In the 12 games that Pujols has missed since the injury, the Cardinals have gone just 5-7 as a team and currently sit in a first place tie with the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central Division.
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