Will Albert Pujols play in 2022?

The St. Louis Cardinals have come to a one-year, $2.5 million agreement with three-time National League MVP and franchise icon Albert Pujols.

Gidget AlikpalaG_AlikpalaUpdate: Mar 28th, 2022 14:21 EDT

Albert Pujols is coming home to St. Louis in 2022.

The three-time MVP will be back for a 22nd MLB season, and he’ll be joining the team with whom he won two World Series titles. Pujols has signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Cardinals.

He has to undergo a physical, after which he will officially return to St. Louis, where he played his first 11 seasons in MLB and made nine All-Star Game appearances.

The 42-year-old could likely serve as a right-handed designated hitter against lefties, and as an off-the-bench bat.

Welcome home, Albert Pujols! pic.twitter.com/Ad4rQDu4RR

— Cards Nation (@CardsNation13) March 28, 2022

Pujols’ illustrious run with the Cardinals

Pujols made his mark in MLB right off the bat- he was unanimously voted as the National League Rookie of the Year when he debuted for the Cardinals in 2001, and proceeded to deliver Hall of Fame numbers during his stint with the team.

He led the league five times in WAR and runs. The Dominican hit at least .300 with at least 30 homers in each of his first 10 seasons with the Cards.

Other MLB stories:

Yadier Molina’s testimonial yearDave Roberts signs three-year extension as Dodgers managerMLB cracks down on sticky substances

He moved to the Los Angeles Angels in 2011 on a 10-year, $240 million contract, and was released midseason in 2021. He finished out the year with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Pujols’ possible St. Louis finish

Pujols is considered one of the greatest first basemen in MLB history, and needs only 21 home runs to reach 700 for his career.

There is a sentimental element in his playing with the Cardinals again. The Machine is well-loved in St. Louis, where he received multiple standing ovations in a 2019 game at Busch Stadium.