ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ

JUPITER, Fla. — At about the same time Albert Pujols appears on the fan ballot for fall induction into the Cardinals Hall of Fame, the three-time MVP and St. Louis great will be busy trying to go 3-for-3, of course, in his latest role in baseball.

Fresh off a championship season as manager in the Dominican Republic's winter league and the Caribbean Series, . The outlet said sources confirmed Pujols' imminent appointment, which could be made officially at some point this month.

Pujols previously expressed hope he would get that chance as Major League Baseball's international tournament returns for 2026.

The first Dominican-born member of the 700 Homer Club to go with his 3,000 career hits, Pujols has expressed an interest in being a major-league manager. He sought opportunities to gain experience and prepare for that job, starting this past winter with Leones de Escodigo. He managed that team to the Dominican league's championship and as DR's representative in the Caribbean Series won that, too.

Nelson Cruz is Team Dominicana's general manager for the WBC.

He and Pujols both also do work for Major League Baseball as special advisors or assistants to the commissioner. Like Pujols, a lot of what Cruz does for the commissioner's office is focused on Latin America, and Pujols has been involved with MLB in the Dominican Republic.

Pujols retired after returning to the Cardinals for the 2022 season and, through a second half for the ages, powered the club to its most recent playoff appearance and surpassed 700 home runs. In his 22-year career in the majors, Pujols put his name in the record books alongside Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron when it comes total bases, home runs, and RBIs.

Pujols, 45, has been active as a broadcast commentator, ambassador, advisor, and manager since retirement. He also is entering the third season of his 10-year personal services contract with the Los Angeles Angels.

While working for MLB Network during the 2023 World Series, Pujols stood outside a production trailer and spoke to the Post-Dispatch pursuing a second act as a big-league manager.

“I think if the right time comes and it’s the right scenario, of course — what players doesn’t want to be a manager?� Pujols said that day. “You know what I mean? For me, my time will come if it’s the right thing.�

He will be eligible for induction into the Cardinals Hall of Fame in 2026, and in 2028, the same year the Summer Games come to Los Angeles, Pujols will be eligible for induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

His longtime teammate Yadier Molina will be eligible those same years.

Molina also managed in the Dominican winter league this past offseason, and he was the manager of Team Puerto Rico during the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

Molina's Puerto Rico team edged Team Dominicana in pool play that year to advance to the quarterfinals. Japan won the WBC by defeating Team USA in the final at Miami.

The Dominican Republic last won the tournament in 2013.

Molina was the all-tournament catcher that year for his performance for Puerto Rico. Pujols was unable to play in the tournament due to a knee injury.