The Cardinals have activated first baseman Albert Pujols from the disabled list prior to Tuesday's game against the Reds. Pujols was not in the lineup for the game, but he will be available to pinch-hit and it expected to start on Wednesday night. "Thrilled," manager Tony La Russa said. "We all are. It's about as good a break as we could catch." Tuesday was the first day Pujols was eligible to return from the 15-day DL. He broke the wrist in a collision at first base with the Kansas City's Wilson Betemit on June 19, and the team initially believed Pujols would be out six weeks and could return at the start of August.