Angels rumors: Pujols ahead of schedule

Angels slugger Albert Pujols is ahead of schedule in his return from injury, and is slotted in as DH for the Angels today, reports Spencer Fordin of MLB.com.

Pujols is recovering from offseason knee surgery.

Pujols was not supposed to return until later in the month, but as the article states he is ahead of schedule. Despite saying many times that he would not rush his way back, Pujols has returned to game-action a week earlier than expected.

Pujols said how because of the longer Spring Training this year that the injury just makes this more of a normal Spring Training for him. Spring Training is longer this year due to the World Baseball Classic.

The articles states that Josh Hamilton was in the line-up for the Angels today, as he has been dealing with soreness in his right quadriceps muscle. Hamilton said that he has always noted how durable Pujols is and strives to have that kind of consistency.

The two sluggers are expected to anchor the Angels line-up along with second-year sensation Mike Trout. Hamilton was signed this offseason from the Texas Rangers, and Pujols was acquired in the 2011-12 offseason from the Cardinals via free agency.

It is yet to be seen when Pujols will play the field, but it does not sound like they intend to rush him.