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Los Angeles Angels slugger Albert Pujols said he plans to show up at the team's spring-training complex in Tempe, Ariz., a week before the reporting date for position players, according to ESPNDeportes' Enrique Rojas.

Pujols said he has been training at the Angels' academy in the Dominican Republic since earlier this week.

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"I believe it's important [to arrive early], not just because I'm on a new team, but because for the last 12 years I've lived in St. Louis, where it's cold. I'm going to try to show up a week early to get used to the weather, to get to know my teammates and to avoid getting there a day early and having a lot of problems," Pujols told Rojas.

Angels pitchers, catchers and injured players are scheduled to report Feb. 19, with their first workout scheduled for the following day. The rest of the players are scheduled to report on Feb. 26 and begin working out on the 27th.

Pujols, who spent his first 11 seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, is entering his first season with a new team and his first spring in Arizona. The Angels open their Cactus League schedule March 5 against the Oakland A's.

The Angels signed Pujols, a three-time National League MVP, to a 10-year, $240 million contract in December.

Mark Saxon covers the Angels for ESPNLosAngeles.com.

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Mark Saxon

ESPNLosAngeles.com

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Mark Saxon is a staff writer for ESPNLosAngeles.com. He spent six years at the Orange County Register, and began his career at the Oakland Tribune, where he started an 11-year journey covering Major League Baseball. He has also covered colleges, including USC football and UCLA basketball.