Despite foot ailment, Pujols reports early

JUPITER, Fla., Feb. 21 (UPI) -- St. Louis Cardinals star Albert Pujols, who has been receiving treatment for a sore left heel, is at training camp and says he'll "try to win a job."

Pujols recently underwent a second treatment for plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of tissue in his foot.

The slugger arrived at training camp in Florida Sunday, a day early.

"I'm gonna go out there and just try to win a job. I know that I'm on the team, but I still need to go out there and feel like I'm not on the team, like I've got to win a job," Pujols said.

"One thing that I need to take it easy is running. At least for the first two weeks, just be careful what I do with running because my legs, they aren't ready yet to get back to what I'm doing."

Pujols was bothered by the injury most of last season but achieved personal highs in home runs (46), walks (84) and doubles (51) in 154 games.

Manager Tony LaRussa said Pujols had "an amazing year" despite the injury.