Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols concedes his season may be over barring improvement in a strained left calf that forced him from the lineup shortly before Tuesday night’s game against the Phillies, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
“If I feel like I can play, I’m going to play. But the way I feel right now, I would say no,” Pujols said.
Though the Cardinals face imminent elimination from the National League Central race, manager Tony La Russa recently said he would continue to play Pujols, in part because the former Most Valuable Player is approaching several historic thresholds.
Extra innings
Milwaukee ace Ben Sheets is questionable for his next start Sunday because of an injured left hamstring. Sheets (12-5, 3.82 ERA) left Tuesday night’s game in Houston after one inning. … Ed Wade was hired as general manager of the Houston Astros. … Blue Jays center fielder Vernon Wells will have season-ending surgery for a cyst and torn labrum in his left shoulder. … Sammy Sosa expects to play again in 2008. He would like to stay in Texas, even though he’s been only a part-time player since August. “I’d love to come back here, no question about it,” Sosa said. “I would love to see what they have planned for me.” Manager Ron Washington indicated that he’d like to have Sosa back next season, though he didn’t say in what role.
