Cardinals’ Albert Pujols could return Tuesday night

Albert Pujols could be back in the St. Louis Cardinals’ lineup as early as Tuesday night, beating the initial timetable for his return from a broken left wrist by a month.

After taking indoor batting practice and fielding grounders outside on Monday, Pujols said there was no pain and added that he felt great. He’s scheduled to be examined by team physician George Paletta on Tuesday morning.

“I can’t wait to get back on the field,” Pujols said. “Hopefully, it can be tomorrow. If it’s not, whenever the time comes will be the right time to play.”

Tuesday is the first day Pujols is eligible to return from the 15-day disabled list. He broke the wrist in a collision at first base trying to make a tag with his glove hand of the Kansas City Royals’ Wilson Betemit on June 19.

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Texas Rangers Manager Ron Washington isn’t backing down from his criticism of umpire Angel Hernandez even though the American League All-Star manager already expects to be fined for an on-field confrontation and postgame comments about the umpire.

After Washington and first base coach Gary Pettis were ejected Sunday by Hernandez, the Rangers’ skipper said, “Angel is bad. That’s all there is to it.”

When asked about those comments Monday, Washington responded, “Hey, the truth is the truth.”

Pettis was tossed in the seventh inning Sunday after arguing that Florida reliever Michael Dunn balked on a play when Nelson Cruz was caught stealing. Washington was thrown out as well, then argued vehemently for a few more minutes.

The Colorado Rockies recalled outfielder Cole Garner from triple-A Colorado Springs to provide defensive depth in the absence of Carlos Gonzalez, who is out because of an injured right wrist.