March 28--REPORTING FROM TEMPE, Ariz. -- Albert Pujols will play first base for the first time this year on Monday.
The 36-year-old has been practicing at the position for the last month. In the last Cactus League game he'll play, he'll start there as the Angels attempt to understand how much he can handle in the regular season.
"He feels strong enough," Manager Mike Scioscia said. "He's been taking ground balls the whole time. I think it's good to get a read on him now, see where he is by the weekend and see if he has any negatives. This is something that we both feel strongly about, to see what the prospects are for him getting on the field."
Pujols underwent surgery in November to alleviate pain in the plantar plate of his right foot. That pain forced him to cease playing first base for the final month last season. For his career, Pujols has been a far superior defender to the Angels' alternative at first base, C.J. Cron.
But Cron has improved some, if this spring is to be believed, and the team must decide if Pujols' superiority is still worth the additional stress it would put on Pujols' body.
If he cannot play first base, he can still serve as the designated hitter.
"We're not gonna put anything to risk what he's doing in the batter's box right now, because he feels really strong and comfortable," Scioscia said.
Several Angels regulars will return to Anaheim after Monday's 1 p.m. game against the Chicago Cubs, work out Tuesday at Angel Stadium and take Wednesday off before beginning the Freeway Series against the Dodgers.
Opening day is a week away.
pedro.moura@latimes.com
Twitter: @pedromoura
