Albert Pujols Injury: Updates on Angels Star's Wrist and Return

Los Angeles Angels first baseman Albert Pujols was forced to leave the team's May 20 game against the Toronto Blue Jays with a wrist injury. He was absent from the May 21 lineup, but returned on May 22 against the Red Sox.

Continue for updates.

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Pujols Returns vs. Red Sox

Friday, May 22

Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com reported Pujols was in the Angels lineup Friday.

After being hit by a pitch on the left wrist by Drew Hutchison on May 20, Pujols was pulled from the lineup, with Marc Krauss replacing him, according to Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com. The official diagnosis was a left hand contusion, per the Angels' official Twitter account. 

Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reported there are no fractures or broken bones in his hand.

Pujols was 0-for-1 with the HBP before exiting the game. He would miss the team's following game against the Blue Jays.

Pujols is no longer the dominant offensive force he was during his prime seasons. He's still a key cog in the middle of the lineup, though. The Angels need him healthy and productive in order to maximize their output at the plate.

The infielder has remained mostly durable throughout his career. He played at least 140 games in 14 of his first 15 seasons in the majors. The only exception was a knee injury that limited his 2013 campaign to 99 appearances.

He previously missed some action this season due to a hamstring problem. Minor issues like that may become more common at this stage of his career. Los Angeles should be happy as long as the 35-year-old superstar avoids any major setbacks.