Pujols to start for the 22nd time

Albert Pujols will be in the St. Louis Cardinals’ starting lineup against the Pittsburgh Pirates when the Dominican slugger begins his final major league season Thursday with a reason to return to Busch Stadium.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol announced Monday that Pujols, who signed a $2.5 million contract to return to the team where he became a star, will be the designated hitter in his 22nd Opening Day start.

Pujols will match Hank Aaron and Carl Yastrzemski with the second most, behind only Pete Rose, who strung together 23 during his career.

“I don’t want to generate expectations, as I prefer the surprise. I’ll try to enjoy it,” Pujols said as he began the home stretch of spring training in Jupiter, Fla. “I’m sure it will be emotional for me and also for the fans. But now I’m focused on getting as many innings as I can and being ready for this season.”

Later in the day, the 10-time All-Star Game selection issued a statement confirming that he had filed for divorce from his wife, Deidre, after 22 years of marriage. Deidre Pujols underwent surgery last week to remove a brain tumor discovered in October.

“I know it’s not the most opportune time with the approaching Inauguration Day and other family events that have occurred,” Pujols said. “These situations are never easy and it’s something that just happened overnight. As a devout Christian, it’s something I never wanted to happen,” he added.

Pujols asked for “our privacy and the privacy of our five children during this time.”

On the diamond, Pujols could occasionally fill in for Paul Goldschmidt at first base during the season, and was scheduled to have some shooting there before the trip to St. Louis.

The Cardinals will essentially use him as a designated hitter or pinch hitter in the late innings, in addition to taking advantage of his experience inside the locker room.

Pujols, 42, and his close friend, Yadier Molina, have already said they will retire after this season. The same could happen with right-hander Adam Wainwright, who joined the two in winning World Series championships in 2006 and 2011.

After playing with the Los Angeles Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers last year, Pujols returns to St. Louis with 679 lifetime home runs.

Although he hit just .236 with 17 homers in 2021, the three-time National League Most Valuable Player is still someone to fear for left-handed pitchers, racking up a .294 average with 13 homers in just 136 innings, making him a piece that gives the Cardinals more depth.

“He has a good rapport,” Marmol said. “He has a fixation on going out on a high note. He’s in top condition, he feels good and with his quality, every time he takes a turn, he’ll feel better. Mentally and physically, he’s ready to go.”

Wainwright, 40, was selected to open the opener. It will be his sixth time doing so for St. Louis.

“Me and the two of them are the last ones to survive here, and it’s special to have them join me at the end of my career,” Pujols said. “Hopefully we can fight for a championship. It would be perfect.”