Albert Pujols was removed from the Cardinals' game on Saturday against the Cubs due to a strained right oblique muscle, and it's unclear when he will be able to return. He will almost certainly be placed on the disabled list for the first time in his career, if not Sunday, then no later than Tuesday. "There is serious concern," said Dr. George Paletta, "and it is the type of injury that we need to evaluate initially and again 18-24 hours later to get a better handle on it." With one out in the top of the second inning, Pujols chased a short foul popup by Chicago third baseman Aramis Ramirez. He stopped short of catching the ball, and television replays showed that he grabbed at his right lower back on the play. The injury is in the rear of his torso, which is somewhat unusual in the case of oblique strains. "He's going to miss a significant period of time," said manager Tony La Russa. "Anywhere from little significant to real significant. We can't tell for another 18-24 [hours]. But it's something we've got to deal with."