Fri, 14 Mar 2014 13:57:05 -0700

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 1B Albert Pujols is happy with his progress this spring after dealing with plantar fasciitis in his foot most of last season. He's getting back to his old self defensively, and he continues to consider himself a first baseman and not a designated hitter. Pujols' timing at the plate is also starting to get back to where he wants it, and he's starting to square balls up after getting off to a slow start in the spring.

"I feel better than that first week," said Pujols, whose Cactus League slash line is at .240/.355/.320. "Remember, I missed 300 at-bats last year. I've never gone this long without seeing live pitching. This is my first time in my 13-, 14-year career. But I feel better. It seems like my first week I was a little bit uncomfortable, but I started seeing the ball better, getting better at-bats, seeing pitches." His left foot and right knee are both completely healthy heading into the season.

Fantasy Tip: Pujols' plate skills remain steady enough for him to put up another 30-home run season. Health is now the key for him, but as of now, there shouldn't be any concerns in that department.

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| Source: MLB.com - Alden Gonzalez

Thu, 06 Mar 2014 10:56:16 -0800

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 1B Albert Pujols made two diving stops at first base Wednesday, March 5, his first time playing in back-to-back games this spring. He also recorded his first hit to break an 0-for-9 streak. "Just the way he's running around, the way he's moving at first -- just walking in general, he looks more healthy," SP Jered Weaver said. "I've been talking to him. He says he's feeling really good. Hopefully we can keep him at that level."

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| Source: MLB.com - Alden Gonzalez

Mon, 03 Mar 2014 08:59:15 -0800

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 1B Albert Pujols said he's completely willing to sit out this year when manager Mike Scioscia feels the need to rest him, and he's totally fine with serving as the designated hitter when needed. "I think if there's a day I need to DH, I'll DH," Pujols said. "If I need a day off, I'll take a day off. I wish I'd have done that earlier in my career, because the last couple of years I'm trying to be Superman and trying to play 162 games. It's cost me the last couple of years."

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| Source: ESPN.com

Wed, 19 Feb 2014 14:54:53 -0800

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 1B Albert Pujols (foot) is completely healthy this spring, but manager Mike Scioscia said Pujols won't play first on an everyday basis once spring action starts. "He's not at that point," Scioscia said. "And we wouldn't do it anyway. If he felt great, there's no doubt about getting him in the flow in little bits. You're not going to just throw him out there and have him play 15 straight spring training games because he feels good, because I think by Game 16 you might be facing a problem." The goal is for him to play "on a regular basis" once the regular season begins. 1B Carlos Pena and DH Raul Ibanez will get repetitions at first when Pujols isn't out there.

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| Source: MLB.com - Alden Gonzalez

Thu, 13 Feb 2014 14:33:29 -0800

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 1B Albert Pujols (foot) showed up to camp looking healthier than usual. "You're going to see it when I run around and move around," Pujols said. "I'll let your eyes judge. … I might sneak five or six (stolen bases) this year." He played in just 99 games in 2013 thanks to a left foot injury and a right knee ailment. Pujols reported seven pounds lighter and doesn't plan to be restricted during running drills. He was able to rehab his injuries for the final two months of the regular season and into the offseason.

Fantasy Tip: As Pujols suggests, he believes he'll be able to improve on his disappointing 2013 season if he can stay healthy this year. That should make him a relative bargain in 2014, and he could be a safe bet to return to his 2012 numbers.

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| Source: MLB.com - Alden Gonzalez

Thu, 13 Feb 2014 12:08:37 -0800

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim manager Mike Scioscia likely plans to hit OF Mike Trout in the No. 2 slot, followed by 1B Albert Pujols and OF Josh Hamilton. OF Kole Calhoun is the leading candidate to hit leadoff.

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| Source: Los Angeles Times - Mike DiGiovanna

Thu, 06 Feb 2014 06:05:10 -0800

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 1B Albert Pujols (foot) has had a normal offseason and has been hitting since October.

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| Source: New York Post - Joel Sherman

Thu, 16 Jan 2014 08:33:20 -0800

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 1B Albert Pujols (foot) is happy with his offseason progress after dealing with plantar fasciitis for much of last season. He is "really excited" about how things are going before spring training, and manager Mike Scioscia is confident that Pujols will rebound.

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| Source: The Associated Press

Sun, 05 Jan 2014 19:24:43 -0800

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim hitting coach Don Baylor will have the task of straightening out OF Josh Hamilton and 1B Albert Pujols. The team also hopes Baylor can make 2B Howie Kendrick into a batting-champion-type hitter many thought he would be.

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| Source: The Boston Globe - Nick Cafardo

Sat, 16 Nov 2013 11:39:36 -0800

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 1B Albert Pujols (foot) said his left foot is "99.9 percent healthy" and added that his rehab was going "really good."

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| Source: MLB.com - Alden Gonzalez