Mar 13, 2008 9:43 AM EST

Albert Pujols is confident that he can avoid surgery on his elbow this season, and maybe even for the rest of his career, according to the Associated Press.

There have been rumors that he might need reconstructive surgery on his elbow, which has bothered him on and off since 2003.

"I can go the year and I don't have to be concerned about it because I took enough rest," Pujols said. "The last couple of years I haven't taken enough rest."

Via ESPN