Albert Pujols Returning From Broken Wrist After Just Two Weeks

So it’s more than a little surprising that Pujols is ready to be activated just two weeks later. From Brian Stull:

I’ve got confirmation that Albert Pujols was cleared by the doctor today and can return

...

Roster move to make room for Pujols not clear yet

Pujols appears to be better than other players even when it comes to returning from injuries, although it’s also possible he’s being unduly optimistic about his return date - players often are. He will have a doctor’s appointment Tuesday morning, and after that, we should have a better sense of whether he will be able to return that night with the Cards face off against the Reds.

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa says the upcoming All-Star break, which would give Pujols a few additional days to recover if he needed it, will not keep him from play Pujols if he’s ready.

Here’s the video of the play and Pujols’ reaction. The slow-motion replays that follow the game-speed version are pretty unpleasant, as his glove was bent so far back it looks like it hit him in the face.

The big first baseman immediately acts as if he’s in pain, hopping off the diamond and crumpling to the ground while holding his left forearm. At one point he looks like he’s trying to stretch his arm out behind his back, and a closeup of the injured area does appear to be reddened.

The injury appeared to be to his left arm, with his wrist and hand area bending in an awkward way. Some are speculating he suffered a broken bone or even ligament damage, but nothing has been established yet; it could just be a gruesome sprain.

The preliminary evaluation, at least, is that it’s only a sprain, according to ESPN’s Brian Stull, and that a fuller report should be on its way for Monday. It’s not much news, but for Cards fans it’s about as good as it could possibly be.