STL Today: Stiff back sidelines Pujols

“Demolition of the old Gravois bridge begins” Coincidence? I think not.

Slowed by what two Cardinals officials called minor back stiffness, first baseman Albert Pujols did not make a scheduled start Monday and, according to manager Tony La Russa, won’t be in the lineup until Wednesday at the earliest.

Pujols was expected to join the team for Monday’s game against the Boston Red Sox at City of Palms Park, but instead he remained back in Jupiter, Fla., in part so he could visit a chiropractor. Pujols experienced stiffness in his lower back Sunday, and he described the procedure as an adjustment.

“It’s been bothering me some so I got it looked at,” Pujols said before leaving the Cardinals’ training complex in Jupiter. “I don’t want to push it if it’s going to set me back. But we’ll see. I want to play.”

La Russa preached caution.

“He’s not coming (Tuesday),” La Russa said, referring to the three-hour bus trip across the state select players are making for today’s game against Minnesota. “He’s not going to make the bus trip. Even if we were home, I don’t think he would play. We’ll see how he feels on Wednesday.”