WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Albert Pujols went 1 for 3 against Washington in his spring training debut with St. Louis on the same day his wife underwent successful brain surgery.

In his third at-bat, Pujols smacked a line drive to the right side through a hole created by an infield shift.

Albert Pujols loves smashing baseballs! pic.twitter.com/z0LTuZe48b

— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) March 30, 2022

He said afterward it felt good to be back in a real game.

Taking the field, number 5, Albert Pujols! pic.twitter.com/cCUUzVr5ZO

— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) March 30, 2022

Pujols doesn’t expect to be in the Cardinals’ lineup on Thursday.

But if all goes well, he will play Friday against the Mets.

Albert's back & we scored 2⃣9⃣ runs pic.twitter.com/RaoESI63Tp

— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) March 30, 2022

He may head to California to see his wife during the off days between the end of camp and the start of the season.