Albert Pujols will be in the starting lineup for the first time in his career when the St. Louis Cardinals play the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday.
Albert Pujols will be the designated hitter on opening day for the 22nd year in a row, according to Oliver Marmol. Pete Rose made 23 straight during his career, which is second to Hank and Carl.
Pujols said that he doesn't want to set expectations because he likes to be surprised. My focus is on getting in the reps I need to be ready for the season.
This week, Pujols was expected to get some work at first base, since he could be used as a pinch hitter at times this season. He is seen as a pinch hitter and a designated hitter by the Cards, along with a nice mix of old and new in the locker room.
This will be the final big league season for the two men. That could be the case for right-handed pitcher Adam Wainwright, who was part of the team that brought the World Series to St. Louis in 2006 and 2011.
Pujols hit.236 with 17 homers last season while splitting time with the Angels and Dodgers. He showed he can still hit against left-handed pitchers, hitting. with 13 homers in just 136 at-bats, which made him an attractive depth option for the Cards.
Marmol said that the guy is on a mission to finish well. He feels better when he gets an at-bat because he is in shape, he is feeling well, and he has a good timing. He is ready to go from a mental and physical standpoint.
The announcement merely made official what everyone expected, that 40-year-old Wainwright would start the game. He has taken the ball on opening day before.
Pujols said it was special to have those two guys with him as he was finishing his career. That would make it perfect.
Jack Flaherty, a right-handed pitcher, was placed on the injured list and the last spot on the roster went to a pitcher who had excelled in spring training.
Flaherty is not expected to return for the first month of the season. The Opening Day starter has had a platelet-rich plasma injection in his shoulder and labrum in the past two years, and he has been dealing with a small tear in his right labrum that could be complicating the recovery.
In 15 starts and 17 appearances, Flaherty went 9-2 with a 3.22 ERA.
Jake Walsh was sent to Triple-A Memphis on Monday while the other four were sent to the minor leaguers.
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