Injured Angels? Pujols exits game clutching hamstring, Hamilton’s shoulder and possibly now Shoemaker?

Stay tuned to Call to the Pen for updates on the statuses of Pujols, Hamilton and Shoemaker.

Updated September 16, 12:15 pm ET:

New news on the reason Shoemaker was removed from the game in the top of the eighth inning from Angels beat writer Mike DiGiovanna:

As Scioscia and I mentioned both oblique and hamstring issues can be tricky injuries to return from quickly. Nothing new on Hamilton or Pujols as of now. The only real relevant information for you is that Shoemaker will have his MRI on Tuesday.

Having an MRI is always a precaution, yes, but it can also, as Scioscia expressed be something that can keep a player out for a long period of time. Stay with Call to the Pen will have the news as it’s released.

Original Text:

The Los Angeles Angels have a significant lead over the Oakland Athletics in the American League West and will have no trouble winning the Western Division Title in 2014.

Yet, how great are there playoffs hopes going to be with an already ailing Josh Hamilton who has been having shoulder issues and now a possible injury to Albert Pujols.

Pujols hit a three run, bases clearing double in the third inning to give the Angels a 3-0 lead over the Seattle Mariners Monday night but by the time he made it to second base he was hobbling, visibly favoring and clutching the back of his left leg.

According to CBS Sports’ Mike Axisa, Pujols tried to stretch out his leg and walk it off but was immediately pulled from the ball game. So far the Angels have only announced that Pujols has left the game due to a hamstring cramp.

He will likely be evaluated and taken for testing to make sure it is not a more serious strain. It appears to be more serious if you watch the actual play. It appears to be more of a strain than a cramp. Plus, if it is simply a cramp he should have been able to walk it off. That is just speculation though. The Angels may just be being careful with their slugger who, after getting off to a slow start, is hitting .283 with 26 home runs and 97 RBI.

From the video it appears to be if not a cramp than a grade 1 or 2 strain. Strains graded higher than that usually require the player to be helped off the field in some way. Still, even a lesser grade hamstring strain can be tricky to come back from without re-injuring the muscle. This is not exactly what the Angels need down the stretch just two weeks from October no matter how large their division lead. They will need to rely heavily on their offense potentially having to face either Oakland or Seattle’s both stellar pitching staffs come time for the American League Division Series. If Pujols is more severely injured than what has simply been called a cramp, his absence along with the absence of Josh Hamilton who has not played in a game since September 4 could be a blow to the Angels hopes to go deep into October . A report from

Hamilton’s player page on Baseball-Reference.com

dated September 16 states that Hamilton is out indefinitely with a sore neck and shoulder that has shown no signs of improvement.

"“9/16 Injury Report: Out indefinitely (September 5, sore right shoulder/neck)”"

How true this is is in question as this was reported by MLB.com’s Alden Gonzalez earlier on Monday however the BR post was dated Tuesday.

The Angels could potentially be without both Pujols and Hamilton in the lineup for the postseason and if that is the case their potent offense may suffer against the elite pitching staffs that they may face.

They may be in even more trouble than that. Towards the end of the game there was speculation that there may be something bothering the Angels latest ace Matt Shoemaker.

Stay tuned to Call to the Pen for updates on the statuses of Pujols, Hamilton and Shoemaker.