11:38AM Wednesday
March 20, 2013

Albert Pujols played first base Tuesday for the first time in this year's Cactus League and reported no issues with his surgically-repaired right knee.

Pujols got pulled after five innings and was never really tested on defense, but the slugger told USA Today's Bob Nightengale after his day was through that he is feeling good and fully expects to be in the Angels' lineup for the regular-season opener on April 1 against the Reds. It's at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati — where Pujols was a .316/.404/.598 career hitter during his time with the Cardinals.

Pujols was 0-for-2 at the plate in Tuesday's 6-1 loss to the Brewers, but he still boasts a .313 batting average in eight spring games. He posted the worst OPS (.859) and OPS+ (141) of his career in 2012 with Anaheim.

The Angels still owe the 33-year-old first baseman a whopping $228 million.