Angels' Pujols unlikely to play in games until mid-March

Los Angeles Angels first baseman Albert Pujols, recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, may not appear in Spring Training games until mid-March, manager Mike Scoscia told reporters.

The team feels that Pujols will be ready for Opening Day on April 1.

"We'll see where he is week to week," Angels 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."

Pujols, 33, had the procedure early in the offseason. He arrived to Spring Training a few days early and has been taking batting practice. The righty started slowly in his first season with the Angels last year, but finished batting .285 with 30 home runs and 105 RBIs.