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Los Angeles Angels: Five things to watch for during Spring Training
By Joshua Lea
3. Is Albert Pujols healthy?
This isn’t a huge question for the Los Angeles Angels, especially with Valbuena on the roster. Still, it is a question that will be of focus during spring training. Is Albert Pujols going to be healthy this season? Pujols underwent surgery last season to repair his right foot. The Angels DH is expected to be ready by Opening Day, however, his status isn’t certain.
Pujols is still active in this league. His numbers last season were impressive. Pujols administered .268 average, 31 home runs, and 119 runs batted in for 2016. Pujols is also chasing 600 career home runs and 3,000 career hits. 2017 will be a fun year to watch Pujols attempt to record these milestones.
Related Story: Pujols' status for 2017
Pujols’ health will be important for the Angels, once he does return, it will present a problem for Billy Eppler. The problem being what to do about the first base position. Luis Valbuena and C.J. Cron will have to fight it out for that position. Pujols should resume his DH duties upon his return. This will leave the third base position in the hands of Yunel Escobar and the first base position in either Cron or Valbuena. I would expect for Valbuena to take first base with Cron as a backup.