ST. LOUIS (AP) — Albert Pujols has returned to the St. Louis Cardinals, finding a home in the place where he became one of baseball’s most powerful sluggers.
The 42-year-old Pujols emerged from beyond the right field wall at the Cardinals’ spring training complex between the first and second innings of an exhibition game against Houston . Pujols drew a standing ovation from the crowd and was greeted with hugs in the St. Louis dugout.
Pujols was a three-time MVP and helped the Cardinals win two World Series titles. He split last season with the Angels and Dodgers. He says this will be his final season.
In other MLB news:
—The Minnesota Twins have signed veteran right-hander Chris Archer to a one-year contract. Archer gives the Twins a potential boost for their rotation. He is a two-time All-Star who’s coming off an injury-ruined 2021 season with the Rays. He had a 4.66 ERA in 19 1/3 innings.
—San Francisco Giants third baseman Evan Longoria is scheduled for surgery to repair a ligament in his right index finger. The Giants announced that the veteran infielder would undergo the procedure Tuesday in Los Angeles.
