Just yesterday, I was telling you all about how the Cardinals' hopes for 2008 rested squarely on the broad shoulders of Albert Pujols. It goes without saying that a serious injury to Pujols would cripple the Cardinals in the coming year. He did deal with a bunch of minor injuries during the season last year, which certainly contributed to his drop in power last year. Apparently, there have been whispers all winter about his health, and today Kevin Wheeler came out and put them in the open on his radio show on KMOX (from MLB Rumors):"Albert is the perfect hitter," says Wheeler, who hosts the weekly program "Rating the Cards" on the 50,000-watt voice of the midwest. "...The only concern about Albert's ability to put up big offensive numbers is his health.Albert Pujols ... Tommy John surgery? That's probably the worst thing a Cardinal fan can hear, even if it is just idle speculation on the part of a radio host. The fact is that after last year, Pujols' ability to be 100% for a full season really is an issue for the Cardinals. And if he is seriously hurt, well, the Pirates might have competition for the last place in the NL Central this year.
"He was already voicing concern about his right elbow, which probably needs Tommy John surgery, and if that elbow (or the back or the hammies) give him significant trouble...he might not be able to battle through the pain again."
Via Baseball Musings
