St. Louis Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols (5) is helped off the field by Yadier Molina (4) and Ron Villone (27) after Pujols injured his left leg batting in the seventh inning against the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday in Cincinnati.

Cincinatti ? Albert Pujols is expected to miss at least three weeks because of a strained left calf, a major setback to a St. Louis Cardinals team already thinned by injuries.

The first baseman injured his calf while running out a ground ball during a 7-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night. He flew to St. Louis for tests that indicated a strain rather than a severe tear, as initially feared.

He will start therapy in the next few days.

Pujols was helped off the field Tuesday night. He took a few steps out of the batter’s box before stopping and grabbing the calf.

He flew back to St. Louis for tests Wednesday that indicated the injury is less severe.

“The first indication is that it’s not the scenario that would have kept him out for six weeks to two months,” manager Tony La Russa said. “We’re holding our breath.”

Chris Duncan was recalled from Triple-A Memphis and was in Pujols’ spot at first base for a game against the Cincinnati Reds.

The Cardinals also put Adam Wainwright on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday. He sprained the middle finger on his pitching hand during his start Saturday in Houston and lasted only five innings.