TEMPE, Ariz. >> Nearly a week into his spring training, Albert Pujols is happy with the progress he’s making.
“It’s been really good,” said Pujols, who reported Tuesday with the pitchers and catchers to Angels’ camp. “No soreness at all afterwards. That’s a good sign. I got to start hitting in the cage and moving around and doing agility.”
Pujols, who is coming off December surgery on his right foot, is questionable to be ready for the Angels’ April 3 opener. Pujols said he can’t run on the field, but he has been running on an Ultra G treadmill, which reduces the impact on his lower body.
Pujols certainly won’t be able to play when the Angels begin Cactus League games on Saturday, but there are extra exhibition games this year because of the World Baseball Classic, so there is plenty of time. Pujols also said he doesn’t get caught up needing a certain number of Cactus League at-bats to get ready for the season.
“As long as you get your work, hitting and ground balls, that’s what gets you ready,” Pujols said. “I don’t think taking three or four at-bats in a game is what gets you ready. It’s the ground balls the first couple weeks and the extra hitting and when we do the sessions down around the (practice) field. Those are the things that get you ready. I’m more focused on the things I do in the cage than what I do in the game.”
Pujols is expected to spend most of his time at DH this season, with Luis Valbuena and C.J. Cron playing first.
Less Mahle
Left-hander Greg Mahle said he’s lost about 35 pounds and cut about 12 percent of his body fat this winter from a strict new diet and working out with a new trainer.
“My strength went through the roof and my speed went through the roof,” Mahle said. “I believed him and I trusted him and it started happening.”
A product of Westminster High, Mahle reached the majors last April, sooner than expected. He had some rough outings, though, and was back in the minors in June, not to return to the big leagues. He said he thinks one of his issues was not throwing his fastball inside enough. He also said he’s cleaned up his delivery, which is distinctive because he throws sidearm sometimes and over the top sometimes.
Also
The Angels got on the field for stretching and some throwing on Sunday morning, but otherwise were limited to working out indoors on a second straight rainy day. The weather is expected to clear up for the Angels to get into their normal routine on Monday. … Manager Mike Scioscia said the Angels regular position players won’t play much in the first week of Cactus League games. The schedule is a week longer because of the World Baseball Classic, but the players who aren’t going to the WBC don’t need the extra time. … Pitchers Yusmeiro Petit and Deolis Guerra, who are both pitching for Venezuela, are leaving the team on Mar. 6. Andrelton Simmons leaves Feb. 28 to go to Seoul, where the Netherlands is playing. … Scioscia said Alex Meyer has been one of the more impressive pitchers through the first days of bullpen sessions. Meyer has altered his delivery to put less strain on his shoulder.
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