ANAHEIM, Calif. – First baseman Albert Pujols of the Los Angeles Angels had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee last week and should be ready for the start of spring training.

The Angels on Thursday confirmed the St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s report on the surgery, describing it as a minor procedure.

Pujols overcame a slow start to hit .285 with 30 homers and 105 RBI in his first season with the Angels after leaving the Cardinals for a 10-year, $240 million deal as a free agent.

Pujols, a three-time NL MVP, strained his right calf in late August, and was limited on the basepaths and in the field for the rest of the season. Pujols largely was a designated hitter down the stretch, and his leg injury noticeably affected his baserunning.

DODGERS: The team hired Gerry Hunsicker as senior adviser of baseball operations to help General Manager Ned Colletti, and the president and CEO, Stan Kasten.

Hunsicker will help with international scouting and development, pro scouting and minor league development.

DIAMONDBACKS: Bob Brenly, the former Arizona manager, rejoined the team as a television analyst, a day after he left the Chicago Cubs’ broadcast crew.

The Diamondbacks also hired Steve Berthiaume to handle play-by-play duties on Fox Sports Arizona.

ASTROS: Bo Porter, the new manager, inherits a team that has been the worst in baseball the past two seasons, but he said he remembers the excitement in the city a few years ago when Houston went to its only World Series, and is determined to get the Astros back into contention as soon as possible.

“When you come into a situation and you feel like you can make an impact and you can improve a situation, that’s challenging,” he said. “But when you see the pieces that you are going to have around to do that, it makes you feel like it’s going to be great.”

METS: Pitcher R.A. Dickey had abdominal surgery and is expected to be ready for spring training.

A leading contender for the NL Cy Young Award, Dickey, a 37-year-old knuckleballe, was 20-6 with a 2.73 ERA this season. He led the National League in strikeouts (230), innings (2332/3), shutouts (three) and complete games (five).