Albert Pujols: Cardinals Hope Calf Tightness Isn't Serious

The St. Louis Cardinals have had the Chicago Cubs as their main nemesis all season, but after Tuesday night, they may just have another: Albert Pujols' calf.

For tonight's game against the Washington Nationals, manager Tony LaRussa, in conjuction with head trainer Barry Weinberg decided to scratch Pujols from a start.

It will be just the second game Pujols has missed all season, but sitting out one or even two games, as LaRussa estimates, should help Albert tremendously. He is hitting the cover off the ball this year, at a torrid .362 BA with 14 HRs and 39 RBIs.

Pujols, who is a huge competitor, wants to get back on the field as soon as possible, but LaRussa is playing it smart, knowing that Pujols is the best player in the organization, by far.

"You've got to be careful with it," LaRussa said, in an interview with USA Today.

He is exactly right, the last thing the Cardinals want to do is see the 28-year-old first baseman turn into the second-coming of Ken Griffey Jr. Reds edition.

Many St. Louis fans were under the impression that Pujols' injury stemmed from getting hit in the lower back, but as it were told, Pujols' injury was to his calf. He said he suffered it in the first inning, running out a groundball, and LaRussa wanted to pull him out at that point.

Pujols, being the competitor that he is, plead with LaRussa to stay in the game to help out the ballclub, but once the two-hour rain delay hit, there was no reason for Pujols to touch the field again.

Although the injury isn't something Cardinal Nation is fond of, it is certainly nice to see Albert understand his role on the team. If he were to go out and play tonight and reaggrevate the injury, he could be sidelined for weeks. Therefore, it is of utmost important that Pujols and LaRussa made the correct decision to sit out today, with the definite possibility of taking tomorrow off as well.

Although the Cardinals are currently in a rain delay, there is optimism from the weather gurus that the game will be played. If not, the Cardinals will make up the game at a later date, hopefully with Pujols and outfielder Rick Ankiel back.