What are the chances that Pujols will play today?

[jebatzel]

my backup for Pujols, Joe Crede is facing the really hot Runelvys Hernandez

Should I just leave Crede in or hope Pujols plays and put him in the lineup?

sounds like they want to play him too.

JB


http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports ... +swing+bat

Pain won't allow Pujols to swing bat
By JOE STRAUSS Post-Dispatch
updated: 04/16/2003 10:17 AM

"

Brett Tomko

MILWAUKEE - The Cardinals may be without left fielder Albert Pujols until this weekend after he was scratched from batting practice Tuesday because of pain in his right hand.

Pujols left Monday's 7-5 win when Milwaukee Brewers reliever Curtis Leskanic hit him inside his left thumb. Pujols left in the seventh inning and received X-rays that proved negative. However, Pujols experienced pain so severe that he awoke repeatedly early Tuesday morning.

Pain radiated from the base of his hand to his elbow, and he had considerable swelling.

Pujols arrived at Miller Park early Tuesday afternoon to ice the hand. After receiving treatment for about an hour, Pujols told manager Tony La Russa that he thought he could play. However, pain that made it difficult for Pujols to dress himself after Monday's game returned when he attempted to swing a bat. La Russa scratched Pujols, moving Orlando Palmeiro from right field to left and inserting Eduardo Perez into right. It was the second time this season Pujols had not started.

"It hurts a lot to hold a bat," Pujols said. "I thought it was better but there's no reason to push it if it hurts to hit."

La Russa remained hopeful Pujols might be able to play first base today against Brewers lefthanded starter Wayne Franklin. Tuesday's scratch was particularly ill-timed since Pujols is a career .476 hitter (10 for 21) against Brewers ace Ben Sheets. Today would have also been a good opportunity to rest Tino Martinez, hitless in six career at-bats against Franklin. (Cardinals position players are eight for 48 lifetime vs. Franklin.)

"I really wanted to give Albert a day at first base so I could give Tino and Jim (Edmonds) two days in a row," said La Russa, referring to Thursday's day off following today's series finale. The Cardinals consider Pujols day-to-day."

[Guest]

at least for today, I would start Crede

[Peja and Bibby]

is playing at first today put him in and hurry. hope this helps

[jebatzel]

thanks put in him my lineup.

Crede's match scared me to much.

JB

[jdh]

Check the box score, he is in fact starting, but you now have only 10 mins to change it.

[jebatzel]

Looks like his hand if feeling better, he just hit a double.

glad I put him in.

JB

[Guest]

Yup, 3-3 with 2 runs and 2 RBIs. Gotta love that Brewers pitching.

[rotisseriking]

Yup, 3-3 with 2 runs and 2 RBIs. Gotta love that Brewers pitching.

forgot to log in