Pujols won't swing a bat again 'til late July, at the earliest. (SD Dirk via Creative Commons)

St. Louis’ star first baseman was injured Sunday when his arm collided with Royals’ third baseman Wilson Betemit while trying to turn an out.

The Cards won the game, but the loss of Pujols, one of MLB’s biggest stars, will be difficult to overcome.

“I’m going to go find a place to cry,” Cardinals Manager Tony LaRussa told ESPN at a charity event Monday.

It’s been a tough year for LaRussa’s club. St. Louis was one of the few teams to make headlines during spring training when both its potential aces, Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter, were injured. Carpenter made a speedy recovery from his pulled hamstring, but Wainwright remains out for the season after having Tommy John surgery. Standout players Matt Holliday (left field), Kyle McClellan (pitcher), David Freese (third base) and Skip Schumaker (second base) have also paid their DL dues already this season.

The team says it hasn’t made a decision as to who will step in Pujols’ very large shoes but Lance Berkman, who filled in for the superstar after his exit from Sunday’s game, is on most analysts' short list.

The Cardinals are currently tied for first in the N.L. Central. Through Sunday, Pujols was batting .279 with 17 homeruns and 45 RBIs.

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