Pujols resting before starting offseason work

ANAHEIM -- Albert Pujols is an intense and extremely competitive person.

The Angels' first baseman tore his left plantar fascia in late July and was shut down for the season on Aug. 19. But a little over two weeks ago, he started running and riding the bike just in case the Angels worked their way into the playoff picture, although he admitted the "odds weren't in our favor."

Now that the Angels are eliminated from the postseason, Pujols has shut it down and is letting his body rest until he begins his offseason routine.

"I think we're all very comfortable and confident that he is going to be at a much higher level of health than we've seen, even parts of last year, and definitely this year," manager Mike Scioscia said. "I think when you put the equation together, that's going to add up to an Albert much along the lines of what we saw after the first month of '12.

"Through the lion's share of the season, he got banged up a little bit, but you saw everything. The power is there, the swing is there, and hopefully he'll be able to maintain it through a whole season."

The tear of the plantar fascia accomplished what surgery would have so Pujols will not need offseason surgery.

In fact, he anticipates going through his regular offseason routine, which includes weight training and conditioning in November, and hitting in January.

"I feel good about everything and how everything is going," Pujols said.

Pujols will not be back on the field until 2014, but that does not mean he is ignoring the Angels' recent success.

Pujols is proud of the character his teammates have shown as they continue to fight until the end of the season and wishes he were healthy enough to partake.

"It [stinks]," Pujols said. "Very disappointing, but it's not like I could control it."