Albert PujolsThe recent hot streak hasn’t changed the legendary slugger’s mind about retirement, as Pujols told USA Today’s Bob Nightengale that he is “still retiringat the end of the season. Despite a 1,428 OPS in 53 at bats since the All-Star break and his getting closer to some notable milestones, Pujols confirmed he hasn’t thought about playing in 2023.
“I don’t care about numbers. If you’d told me 22 years ago that I’d be this close, I’d have told you you’re crazyPujols said. “My career has been great…I’ve had enough. I’m glad I made the announcement that this was it when I signed. Really, I wouldn’t change anything.”
Pujols now has 692 home runs, making it a real possibility he could pass Alex Rodriguez (696 home runs) on the all-time list and perhaps even the fourth player in history to reach the 700 homers threshold. After last night’s four-hit performance against the Diamondbacks, Pujols is now also second on the all-time total bases list, passing another cardinals legend in Stan Musical. Interestingly, Nightengale also notes that Pujols’ desire to return to St. Louis led him to turn down offers from three other teams this winter, even though those other clubs offered either more playing time or more money than Pujols’ salary of $2.5 million for 2022.
More from the NL Central area…
- brewers utility man Jace Peterson told reporters (including Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) that he will begin a three-game minor league rehab assignment on Tuesday, with a view to returning to the majors when the Brewers open a series with the Cubs on Friday. A left elbow sprain sent Peterson to the 10-day injured list on July 20, and given that he had suffered a UCL injury prior to that IL posting, there was some concern that he might go deeper into September or even his season. sidelined. could be threatened. However, Peterson is now on pace to continue what has been a quietly valuable season as he contributed both versatility around the diamond and an above average attack (111 wRC+) in 241 at bats, hitting .252/.325/. 439 with eight home runs.
- cubs manager David Ross provided updates on some injured players and told Jordan Bastian of MLB.com and other reporters that x-rays were negative on Patrick Wisdom‘s left ring finger, and wisdom is day by day. Wisdom sustained the injury from a slide into home plate in yesterday’s game. Wade Miley will also be on the mound and throwing again tomorrow, after experiencing some tension in his left shoulder on Friday. Between two shoulder-related IL stints and some elbow tights at the end of Spring Training, Miley has thrown just 19 innings in his first season in Chicago. Before this latest setback, Miley has staged four rehab outings and appeared to be nearing a return, so it remains to be seen how much more time (if any) this recent bout of pain could cost the experienced left-hander.
- Speaking of setbacks, red right handed Connor Overton had a hamstring tweak while training at the Reds training complex in Arizona, manager David Bello told reporters (including Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer). A stress fracture in Overton’s lower back sent him to the 60-day injury list on May 19, and he has already been sidelined well beyond the 6-8 week recovery period. A rehabilitation order was still a long way off, because Overton had only been throwing for a long time. Depending on the severity of Overton’s hamstring problem, the rookie will have too little time to get back on the field before the end of the season.
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