Retired Pujols believes moving into coaching `will happen’
Albert Pujols is open to transitioning into coaching. Eventually. Just not yet.
The retired slugger popped into the St. Louis Cardinals spring training camp on Thursday to visit with former teammates and while he believes coaching or some other role within Major League Baseball will happen, he’s not eager to give a timetable.
“Listen 23 years and 24 years, following a schedule from February all the way to October is tough,” said Pujols, who retired in October after 22 years split mostly between the Cardinals and the Los Angeles Angels. “Now I have the freedom to have my own schedule. That’s something that I’m grateful about.”
Pujols spent a week as a special assistant with the Angels in Arizona shortly after camp opened but the dalliance was just that. He’s embracing retired life after a career that ended with 703 home runs, fourth on the career list.
The almost certain future Hall-of-Famer likely wouldn’t have to look to hard to find work whenever the time comes. Yet he’s in no hurry. There’s too much golf to play, to many members of his family to visit for now. He even made an appearance in the NBA Celebrity game as part of the league’s All-Star weekend last month.
Pujols stressed he wasn’t going to put a “stamp” on when the right time will be to return to the game in a larger capacity.
“If it happens next year it’s great,” he said. “Knowing myself I think I’ll let that moment come and I’ll revisit if it’s something I think that works, I’ll do it for sure.”
HARPER HOPEFUL
Phildelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper thinks he could be ready as soon as the All-Star break as he recovers from offseason Tommy John surgery.
The two-time National League MVP said Thursday the team has solidified mid-July as the potential target date for Harper to return.
Harper spent most of last season as Philadelphia’s designated hitter after initially injuring his right elbow in April. He underwent surgery in November, not long after helping the Phillies to the World Series for the first time since 2009.
The 30-year-old Harper intends to serve as a designated hitter whenever he gets back in the lineup. Returning to right field could take considerably longer.
“Of course, I want to play the outfield,” Harper said “I want to get back out there and be in front of the fans in right field doing my stuff and hearing it from all the teams (fans) in the league, too.”
SETBACK FOR RODÓN
The New York Yankees will have to wait a bit for their investment in Carlos Rodón to pay off.
General manager Brian Cashman said the veteran left-handed pitcher will begin the season on the injured list due to a left forearm strain. Rodón won’t throw for 7-10 days, squashing any chance he’ll will be ready by opening day.
The Yankees signed Rodón to a $162 million, six-year contract during the offseason after Rodón put together back-to-back All-Star seasons, first with the Chicago White Sox in 2021 and then with the San Francisco Giants last summer.
GREENE GETS OPENING DAY NOD FOR REDS
Hunter Greene will be the opening day starter for the Cincinnati Reds.
The 23-year-old is getting the nod as he begins his second season in the majors.
“It means the world. It’s a huge honor considering the history in Cincinnati,” said Greene who went 5-13 in 24 starts during his rookie season. “It is a huge honor with the talent we have, Nick, Graham, Cessa (Luis). Knowing the history and the potential we have to bring the team back (after 100 losses). It’s a baseball city. We want to win as much as the fans do to bring that atmosphere back to the city.”