Albert Pujols injury: Angels 1B had minor knee surgery last week in St. Louis

Los Angeles Angels slugger Albert Pujols underwent minor surgery to clean up his right knee.

Angels Vs. Red Sox Pregame Notes: Albert Pujols Back In Lineup After Missing 4 Games

The Los Angeles Angels return home for a brief three-game homestand against the Boston Red Sox, and they have a familiar face batting third. Albert Pujols is back in the lineup after missing four games with inflammation in his right calf.

Pujols still feels sore and will be able to bat, and is the designated hitter for the Halos on Tuesday. But as manager Mike Scioscia noted, just being able to swing the bat wasn't the only concern in letting Pujols play.

"Swinging the bat wasn't as much an issue over the weekend as it was what happened when he hit the ball," Scioscia said. "Albert is a little more comfortable, as our medical staff is, that he can put a little governor on and not be at risk running the bases."

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Batting three spot behind Pujols is Howie Kendrick, who has a 13-game hitting streak, the longest hitting streak by an Angel this season. Kendrick is hitting .353/.400/.608 with eight extra-base hits in 13 games during the streak.

"I think Howie has gotten into a comfort zone. In his last 40 or 50 at-bats, he's definitely found a great approach at the plate, seeing the ball and hitting it hard, and he's on a roll," Scioscia said.

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With the addition of Zack Greinke, Garrett Richards was bumped from the starting rotation, and was optioned to Triple A Salt Lake for three weeks. Since getting recalled last week Richards has been up and down in the bullpen in three games. He picked up a save on Friday in Detroit, getting the final two outs of the game, but has allowed runs in his other two outings.

But for a team fighting to make the postseason, Richards' role will be in the bullpen, and Scioscia feels the rookie has a chance to succeed in the later innings.

"There are big adjustments going from a starter to the bullpen. Garrett's got to make a quick study of it, and hopefully his arm will play in the bullpen to help us moving forward," Scioscia said. "I think he's got a power arm that can possibly play in the back end of the pen."

For all news and information regarding the Los Angeles Angels, please visit Halos Heaven. For updates and perspective regarding the Boston Red Sox, head on over to Over the Monster or stop by SB Nation Boston.

Angels Vs. Red Sox Starting Lineups: Albert Pujols Returns To Bat Third

The Angels will be getting one of their big bats back in the lineup Tuesday night against the Red Sox as Albert Pujols returns from a calf injury. The Los Angeles slugger had missed the previous four games after injuring his right calf while running the bases last Wednesday.

Jered Weaver will be glad to have Pujols back in the lineup, as he pursues his 17th win of the season. The Cy Young candidate is 16-3 with a 2.74 ERA.

The Red Sox will send Clay Buchholz to the mound. The right-hander is 11-4 with a 4.47 ERA. Buchholz's last start came against the Angels and he did not fare well, giving up seven earned runs in 5.1 innings pitched.

This will be the first of a three-game set for these two teams. Game time is 7:05 PT.

Red Sox
Scott Podsednik LF
Dustin Pedroia 2B
Jacoby Ellsbury CF
Ryan Lavarnway C
James Loney 1B
Jarrod Saltalamacchia C
Ryan Kalish RF
Jose Iglesias SS
Pedro Ciriaco 3B
Clay Buchholz P

Angels
Mike Trout CF
Torii Hunter RF
Albert Pujols DH
Kendrys Morales 1B
Mark Trumbo LF
Howie Kendrick 2B
Cesar Izturis 3B
Erick Aybar SS
Chris Iannetta C
Jered Weaver P

Albert Pujols Injury: Angels 1B Out Of Lineup For 4th Straight Game

Los Angeles Angels first baseman Albert Pujols, who has been out of the Angels' lineup for the last three days because of a calf injury, will miss his fourth straight game Sunday when the Angels take on the Detroit Tigers, according to reports.

Pujols appeared to injure his right calf running the bases on Wednesday against the Red Sox and has not appeared for the Angels since. Angels manager Mike Scioscia said Pujols might be available Sunday in the "right situation," according to MLB.com, but the slugger has yet to appear in the series against the Detroit Tigers.

The Angels have split two games in the series with the Tigers, as both teams are jockeying for position in the American League Wild Card race and playoff picture.

The Angels are off Monday, and Scioscia said Pujols would be reevaluated before the Angels open a three-game set against the Boston Red Sox. The Angels swept the Red Sox in a three-game series last week.

For more Angels baseball, visit Halos Heaven.

Albert Pujols Injury: Angels First Baseman Reportedly Expected Back Tuesday At The Earliest

Albert Pujols is not expected to return to the Los Angeles Angels lineup until Tuesday at the earliest, according to the Orange County Register's Bill Plunkett:

No Pujols until Tuesday at the earliest, #Angels Scioscia says now. Don't to risk aggravating the leg injury.

— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) August 25, 2012

Pujols has been dealing with inflammation in his right calf since Thursday when he exited the Angels' game against the Boston Red Sox in the fourth inning. He underwent an MRI on Thursday, which revealed no serious or structural damage. If the Angels want to make an effective late-season push for a playoff spot, they'll need a healthy Pujols, and that requires showing a bit of patience at this point.

Stick with this StoryStream for news updated on Albert Pujols' injury. For all things Angels, head over to Halos Heaven. For complete coverage of Major League Baseball, Baseball Nation has you covered.

Angels Vs. Tigers Starting Lineups: Albert Pujols To Miss 3rd Straight Game With Calf Injury

Albert Pujols is not in the lineup for Los Angeles Angels' Saturday game against the Detroit Tigers, marking the third straight game missed by the Los Angeles slugger. Pujols is suffering from inflammation in his right calf and is listed at day-to-day. An MRI revealed no structural damage, and Pujols is expected back sooner rather than later.

The Angels took Game 1 of the three game series 2-1.

The Angels lineup:

1. Mike Trout CF

2. Torii Hunter RF

3. Howie Kendrick 2B

4. Mark Trumbo 1B

5. Alberto Callaspo 3B

6. Kendrys Morales DH

7. Erick Aybar SS

8. Vernon Wells LF

9. Bobby Wilson C

P. Dan Haren

The Tigers lineup:

1. Austin Jackson CF

2. Omar Infante 2B

3. Miguel Cabrera DH

4. Prince Fielder 1B

5. Delmon Young LF

6. Andy Dirks RF

7. Jhonny Peralta SS

8. Alex Avila C

9. Jeff Baker 3B

P. Drew Smyly

Stick with this StoryStream for scores, updates and more from the Angels vs. Tigers series. For all things Angels, head over to Halos Heaven. For Detroit's perspective, check out Bless You Boys.

Pirates Claim Los Angeles Angels Reliever Hisanori Takahashi Off Waivers

The Pittsburgh Pirates have claimed Los Angeles Angels reliever Hisanori Takahashi off the waivers, according to a tweet from Mike DiGiovanna.

The 37-year-old left hander was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake after compiling a 0-3 record to go along with his 4.93 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 42 appearances this season. He has been scored upon in his last seven outings with the Angels.

Last season with Anaheim, Takahashi went 4-3 a 3.44 ERA, 52 strikeouts and two saves across 61 relief appearances (68 innings) after signing a two year, $8 million contract with the club. Takashi owns a career 3.80 ERA in his 232 major league innings.

While home runs have been the dilemma with Takashi this season (he's allowed six), the lefty specialist is actually striking out batters at a career best rate (4.1 K/BB).

For more Angels news as the playoff chase tightens up, head on over to Halos Heaven.

Mike Scioscia Has Job Security According To Jerry Dipoto, Arte Moreno

Los Angeles Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto was quick to dismiss the rumors that skipper Mike Scioscia may lose his job, but did not that all of the talk has been a distraction for his club this season.

Dipoto told the Los Angeles Times that he's tired of hearing about the job security speculation, and that the players and Scoscia himself just need to focus on the job at hand:

"We're 3 1/2 games out in the wild-card race, but you'd think we were in last place," Dipoto said before Thursday night's game. "Quite frankly, it's a distraction. Mike has been the manager of this team for a long time. He has a very long track record that suggests he's qualified. I say, let him do his job."

Scioscia's resume speaks for itself; 2002 World Series champion, five playoff appearances from 2004-2009, not to mention a and a 10-year contract that. A contract that includes three mutual option years, runs through 2018 and has more than $25 million left to be dished out.

Owner Arte Moreno echoed the same sentiment:

"I signed Mike long term," owner Arte Moreno told mlb.com last weekend, "and I'm invested in Mike long term."

Now the Angels need to move past all this and keep winning ball games.

For more on the Angels, please head over to Halos Heaven.

Albert Pujols Injury: MRI Reveals Right Calf Inflammation, Angels 1B Day-To-Day

Albert Pujols has been battling a calf issue in recent days. After being unable to shake the nagging injury, he decided to undergo an MRI. The report has come back, showing inflammation in his right calf. Pujols is expected to only miss a day or two. He is not in Thursday night's lineup against the Red Sox.

Here is the latest from the club.

Albert Pujols underwent an MRI today which revealed right calf inflammation. He is day to day.

— Eric Kay (@EKayAngels) August 23, 2012

The Angels can rest easily knowing that their investment at first base doesn't have any structural damage to his calf. Anaheim remains 8.5 games back of the Rangers in the American League West and are going to need Pujols healthy if they're going to try and make a late-season push for the division title or wild card spot. The lineup is far less imposing without No. 5 in the three-hole.

For more on the Angels, be sure to check out Halos Heaven and SB Nation Los Angeles.

Angels Vs. Red Sox Starting Lineups: Abert Pujols Out With Right Calf Issue

The Los Angeles Angels will be without first baseman Albert Pujols on Thursday night as they take on the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Pujols has been dealing with a right calf issue the last few days and underwent an MRI on Thursday. As expected, he is out of the lineup released by manager Mike Scioscia.

Here is the Angels lineup for tonight's game:

Mike Trout - CF
Torii Hunter - RF
Howie Kendrick - 2B
Mark Trumbo - 1B
Alberto Callaspo - 3B
Kendrys Morales - DH
Erick Aybar - SS
Vernon Wells - LF
Chris Iannetta - C
C.J. Wilson - P

And here is the Red Sox lineup:

Pedro Ciriaco - 3B
Jacoby Ellsbury - CF
Dustin Pedroia - 2B
Adrian Gonzalez - DH
Cody Ross - RF
Ryan Lavarnway - C
Mauro Gomez - 1B
Mike Aviles - SS
Scott Podsednik - LF
Franklin Morales - P

First pitch from Fenway Park is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET / 4:10 p.m. PT.

For more on the Angels, check out Halos Heaven.

Albert Pujols Injury: Angels Slugger To Undergo MRI Thursday

The Los Angeles Angels won their game against the Boston Red Sox Wednesday, but they may have lost Albert Pujols in the process. Pujols left Wednesday's game due to tightness in his right calf.

Pujols left the game in the fourth inning and will undergo an MRI Thursday. After the game, he said he was sore and isn't sure how the injury happened.

"While I was running from second to third that's when I felt it the most," Pujols said, according to MLB.com. "I ran fine on that double and then all of a sudden I can't tell you, just one of those things. It was more when I was running from second to third, I kind of pulled up a little bit."

Pujols was 2-2 with a double and run scored before leaving the game. It's still unknown if the injury will cause him to miss any time, but he did miss 13 games in 2008 with a calf injury.

For all news and information regarding the Los Angeles Angels, please visit Halos Heaven. For updates and perspective on the Boston Red Sox you can head on over to Over the Monster or stop by SB Nation Boston. You can also check out everything we have to offer at Baseball Nation.

Albert Pujols Injury: Angels 1B Exits With Calf Tightness

According to Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times via Twitter, Los Angeles Angels first baseman Albert Pujols has left the game against the Boston Red Sox in the top of the fourth inning with tightness in his right calf.

Pujols tried to play through the injury, which does not appear to be serious, before exiting the game.

Vernon Wells was inserted into the lineup for Pujols and will play left field, with Mark Trumbo moving to first base.

Before leaving the contest, Pujols was 2-for-2, including a double off right-hander Clay Buchholz, with a run scored. The Angels were looking for a big contribution from the slugger, who has come on of late as the team tries to climb back into the race for the American League West and the AL Wild Card.

The Angels are looking for their second straight win vs. the Red Sox, and were up 4-2 upon Pujols' exit.

For more on the Angels, including the latest news and updates, visit Halos Heaven.