Pujols ruled out for season
Days after Albert Pujols said he still hoped to return to action this season, the Los Angeles Angels announced Monday that the slugger would be shut down for the rest of the year.
Pujols has been out since July 27 due to a partially torn left plantar fascia. He had his walking boot removed Friday, allowing him to begin exercising, and he maintained that he had not ruled out returning to the field by season's end. The Angels scuttled those plans Monday, though.
Just two years into a 10-year, $240 million contract, Pujols will finish with the lowest single-season batting average of his career. Over 99 games, he hit .258, and he also set career lows with a .330 on-base percentage, a .437 slugging percentage, 17 homers and 64 RBIs.
Pujols split time between first base and designated hitter this year to cut down on the wear and tear on his left foot.
The decision to pull the plug on his season was made easier by the fact that the Angels (55-68) entered play Monday night in fourth place in the American League West, 15 1/2 games behind the first-place Texas Rangers. They also were 15 games behind the second-place Oakland A's, who held the second AL wild-card position.
Pujols' salary this year was $16 million, but it jumps to $23 million next year, then rises $1 million per year, topping out at $30 million in 2021. Pujols, 33, has a full no-trade clause.
Pujols is not the only Angels star with injury troubles, as outfielder Mike Trout was out of the starting lineup on Monday because of a hamstring problem.
Trout left Sunday's game with tightness in his right hamstring. But he said at the time he did not think it was serious.
Trout had missed just one game this season prior to Monday. That was June 30, when a tight right hamstring was the problem then as well.
