The adjective for Albert Pujols was "embattled" for the first two months. As in, "Embattled slugger Albert Pujols ..." It was a good way to remind everyone that Pujols was terrible in April and May. That was followed by "surging", "red-hot", and "Pujols-like." But when Pujols left the Angels' game on Wednesday, he was just kind of achy.

After an MRI to his calf, though, the Angels received good news:

Pujols MRI results reveal inflammation in right calf. He is, as we all are, day to day. #Angels

— Victor Rojas (@VictorRojas29) August 23, 2012

Inflammation is better than a strain, which is better than a tear, so Pujols will avoid the disabled list. In the interim, the Angels have options to take over at first, from Mark Trumbo to Kendrys Morales, so they likely won't miss Pujols that much. Apart from him being one of the best hitters in the American League, that is.