Albert Pujols has a bold if unrealistic prediction for his 2019 season

TEMPE Cheslor Cuthbert Jersey , Ariz. (AP) — .“I’m expecting to play 162 games,” the Los Angeles Angels first baseman said Sunday. “One hundred ninety games I’m going to play this year, including spring training.”A month past his 39th birthday, Pujols is an 18-year big league veteran, 10-time All-Star and three-time MVP.“He will not be playing 190, I promise you that,” new Angels manager Brad Ausmus said.Pujols had knee surgery last August. He appeared in 117 games and had 465 at-bats, his fewest since 2013 Brian Flynn Jersey , while hitting .245 with 19 home runs and 64 RBIs.Because the surgery was in the summer, he was able to have a normal offseason.“If he’s playing well, he’s going to play, it’s as simple as that,” Ausmus said. “The important thing about spring training is making sure he’s healthy going into the season. We certainly don’t want to overload him here and have an issue in April and May. It’s going to evolve as we go. We’ll certainly be cautious out of the gate.”Pujols is expected to play first base and see time at designated hitter until two-way player Shohei Ohtani is given the go-ahead to hit in games following Tommy John surgery.After batting .328 and hitting 445 home runs over 11 seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, Pujols has a .260 average and 188 homers in seven years with the Angels.“My job is to be healthy and help this ballclub to win a championship,” Pujols said. “I don’t think I need to show anybody. I know what I can do when I’m healthy and that’s what I try to do. My main focus is to help this ballclub win a championship. This is not about me.”Pujols does know Ausmus well from his own playing days.“I have a lot of respect for how Albert plays the game, not only the talent perspective but he played the game the right way — just how he carries himself on the field Abraham Almonte Jersey , the work ethic, all of that,” Ausmus said. “He does a lot of things right.” TORONTO (AP) — Troy Tulowitzki insists he wants to regain his job as everyday shortstop for the Toronto Blue Jays next season, even though the five-time All-Star has not played in more than a year.Tulowitzki, who had surgery to remove bone spurs from both heels in early April, was ruled out for the season Saturday. He expects to be healthy in time for spring training.“It’s been a tough year to say the least,” Tulowitzki said. “I went out to Florida, was out there on those back fields almost every day trying to go and it just didn’t respond the way I needed to come back and play every day.”The Blue Jays have used eight players at shortstop in Tulowitzki’s absence http://www.royalsfanproshop.com/authentic-justin-grimm-jersey , with Aledmys Diaz getting the bulk of the playing time. A defiant Tulowitzki, a two-time Gold Glove Award winner, said he has no interest in shifting positions when he returns and is happy to compete for his job.“I welcome anything,” Tulowitzki said. “If someone’s better than me, I’ll pack my bags and go home.”Tulowitzki is owed $20 million next season and $14 million in 2020. He has a $15 million club option for 2021 with a $4 million buyout.The bone spurs bothered Tulowitzki during his offseason recovery from surgery to repair the ligament damage and fracture suffered when he stepped on C.J. Cron’s foot while trying to beat out an infield hit in a July 2017 game against the Los Angeles Angels. Tulowitzki has not played since.The oft-injured Tulo has missed at least 30 games in seven straight seasons and eight of the past nine.