The giant slalom world champion slipped during

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Los Angeles Angels slugger Albert Pujols had surgery on his right foot Friday, possibly sidelining him past opening day.Angels general manager Billy Eppler said Pujols had the procedure Friday in North Carolina to release his plantar fascia, the ligament connecting the heel to the toes. The three-time NL MVP was bothered by plantar fasciitis repeatedly during the season, but played through the pain in arguably the strongest year of his half-decade with the Angels.Eppler said the surgery typically prevents players from participating in baseball activities for three months, along with another month before theyre ready to resume playing in games. Opening day for Los Angeles is April 3, and the Angels hope Pujols can be ready.Hes at that point in his career where hes keenly aware of whats happening with his body, Eppler said in a phone interview. I dont put the timetable on Albert like you would with your younger players. Well just see in Alberts case, as he progresses, what his timetable is.Pujols, who turns 37 next month, batted .268 last year with 31 homers and 119 RBI, the fourth-most in the majors -- although his .780 OPS was among the worst of his career. He largely served as a designated hitter instead of playing first base due to problems with his hamstrings and feet.Pujols heads into 2017 with 591 career homers, ranking him ninth in major league history. He is 18 homers behind Sammy Sosa for eighth place.After playing in pain until the final week of the Angels disappointing season, Pujols began shock wave therapy on his foot early in the offseason, believing he wouldnt need surgery.But Pujols foot became more painful in recent weeks despite the therapy, and he huddled with the Angels top brass to decide on surgery after his most recent trip to see Dr. Robert Anderson in North Carolina. Continuing with conservative care would have required 10 more weeks, forcing Pujols to miss the first half of the 2017 season if he still required surgery.He just felt that the pain had gotten to a point where he was comfortable having surgery, Eppler said. If we did delay it, youre just looking at 2 1/2 more months into the season.Pujols had a different type of surgery on his right foot last winter, but recovered in time for opening day. He also had plantar fasciitis in his left foot during the 2013 season, eventually forcing him out for the year when his fascia snapped.Pujols has five years and $140 million remaining on the 10-year, $240 million free-agent contract that pried him out of St. Louis, where he won two World Series and became a nine-time NL All-Star.The Angels havent won a playoff game since Pujols arrival and Mike Trouts concurrent emergence as one of baseballs best players. They went 74-88 last season, the injury-plagued clubs worst record since 1999. Oscar Robertson Kings Jersey . The Cincinnati Reds remain perfect with their speedy rookie outfielder in the starting lineup. Wenyen Gabriel Kings Jersey . The giant slalom world champion slipped during her first run in the morning, landing on her back and then twisting forward before getting her leg caught in the protective material on the side of the slope. https://www.kingslockerroom.com/Cory-Joseph-City-Edition-Jersey/ .7 million, one-year contract, a raise of $2.2 million. Wieters had asked for $8.75 million and the Orioles had offered $6. Mike Bibby Kings Jersey . The phone hearing is scheduled for 4:30pm et/1:30pm pt. Winchester, who was not penalized for the hit, appeared to make contact with Kellys head early in the first period of Thursdays game in Boston. Kyle Guy Kings Jersey . Blackwood, 28, has played the last three seasons in the San Diego Padres system, including the past two summers with Class AA San Antonio of the Texas League. LAHAINA, Hawaii -- North Carolina and Oregon, No. 1 seeds from last seasons NCAA tournament, lead their respective brackets for the Maui Jim Maui Invitational.Joining the Tar Heels, who lost to Villanova in the NCAA title game, in the bottom bracket are Division II Chaminade, the tournament host and North Carolinas opening opponent. The other first-round game is UConn against Oklahoma State.The Ducks, who lost to Oklahoma one win shy of the Final Four, will face Georgetown in the first round while Tennessee plays Wiisconsin.ddddddddddddThe games will be played Nov. 21-23 at the Lahaina Civic Center.North Carolina is a three-time Maui champion (1999, 2004, 2008). Connecticut is the only other past champion in the field (2005, 2010).Three of the winningest current coaches are in the field: North Carolinas Roy Williams (3rd, 783), Tennessees Rick Barnes (8th, 619), and Oregons Dana Altman (11th, 564). ' ' '