Los Angeles Angels

Los Angeles Angels superstar Mike Trout said Friday he "broke down a little bit" after longtime teammate Albert Pujols was designated for assignment by the club Thursday.

"It hit me a little bit," Trout told reporters. "It hit me a lot. Ever since I've been up here, he's been my guy."

The three-time AL MVP added:

"It was tough. I think we were all in shock when the news broke and when we found out about it. But after talking to Albert, and the competitor Albert is, he wants to play every day. You can tell when he's not playing, he wants to be out there with the team. I hope he finds a team that can let him play every day and what his body allows him to do, because he's a competitor. You want him out there. It was a tough situation, but Albert is in a good place, and that's all you can ask for."

Pujols, 41, declined comment about the Angels' decision, but the club's brass said the 10-time All-Star wasn't interested in shifting to a bench role amid the final season of his 10-year, $240 million contract, which left the front office little choice but to let him go, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

"He does not want to be a bench player of any kind," manager Joe Maddon said. "He's got a lot of pride."

General manager Perry Minasian added: "There was no fight. There was no argument. It was a conversation that went back and forth. He understood where we stood on the same situation."

Pujols had displayed some pop early in the campaign with five home runs through 24 appearances, but his other numbers at the plate continued their downward trend. He posted a career-low .665 OPS in 2020, and that figure has dropped to .622 so far in 2021.

Add in the fact that L.A. was working to get Jared Walsh—a first baseman by trade who was playing right field to keep his bat in the lineup—more consistent playing time, and it made sense for the sides to go their separate ways.

It's hard to predict whether Pujols will be able to find a full-time starting job elsewhere.

A return to the St. Louis Cardinals would be a storybook ending to his career, but they have Paul Goldschmidt and don't have the benefit of the DH, so that doesn't seem likely.

While he searches for a new baseball home, the Angels will move forward without one of their lineup stalwarts for the past decade.

Pujols arrived in Los Angeles in 2012, just as Trout was starting his ascent to become MLB's gold standard. It created championship-level expectations, but the club couldn't deliver a title during their partnership.

Albert Pujols will be remembered for much more than his .198 batting average, but .198 will play an important role in his story when his career comes to a close. 

That number is what Pujols was hitting when the Los Angeles Angeles designated him for assignment on Thursday. It's not often a first-ballot Hall of Fame candidate is unceremoniously DFA'd. That transaction is reserved for scuffling four-A players or struggling veterans on the downside of their careers.

And sure, he might be a struggling veteran toward the end of his career, but he's not one of those veterans. He's Albert Pujols, one of the most feared hitters in baseball. One of the most prolific hitters of a generation. It's a transaction that seems beneath him. 

But that's exactly what happened to Pujols Thursday morning. The Los Angeles Angels released their reserve first baseman/designated hitter who was hitting just .198. He was in the final season of a 10-year, $240 million contract and has been about league-average or worse since 2016. 

"It never ends the way you want it to," Angels team president John Carpino told reporters in a Zoom press conference. "He handled it like a pro. But our goal yesterday, 10 years from yesterday and moving forward is always to respect the player, and especially someone of Albert's stature and someone with the greatness he's accomplished on the field and off the field. We just tried to give him the ultimate respect.

"However, as (manager Joe Maddon) said, this is baseball and this is how it happens sometimes." 

Greatness fades, but the Angels don't want to fade from yet another playoff race. Outfielder Mike Trout took over for Pujols as the next generation's greatest hitter as the Machine's career started its downward trajectory. 

There were reports that Pujols was unhappy with Maddon sitting him against Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Ryan Yarbrough on Wednesday night, but Maddon disputed those claims.

What happened was this: Jared Walsh solidified first base, and Shohei Ohtani became indispensable as a DH. At 41, he wants to keep playing, but Pujols simply didn't fit into the larger picture, so there was a conversation between Carpino, Maddon, general manager Perry Minasian and Pujols on Wednesday night. It was decided that he would no longer be a member of the Angels organization.

As for who made the call, Minasian said it was a "baseball operations" decision. 

"This was more about Jared Walsh playing the right position and Shohei Ohtani being in the lineup on a daily basis," Minasian said. "Moving forward, we feel like that's the best club we have."

There is a desperate need to move forward and do so quickly. It's absurd that Trout is 30 years old and has only played in three postseason games, but unfortunately, that's part of a legacy that Pujols leaves behind in Anaheim. The Angels have won a grand total of zero playoff games since Pujols came to the Southland following his illustrious career with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Owner Arte Moreno wanted to be aggressive in building a contender after years of success. He bought the team in 2003—a year after the Angels won their first and only World Series in franchise history—and they were a perennial contender throughout the early aughts. The Angels won the AL West in 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009, but never reached the pinnacle, and Moreno wanted a big name and a powerful presence to help them get there.

Pujols provided name and that presence, joining the club with his massive payday in 2012. 

The Angels had a league-leading 98 wins in 2014 but were swept by the upstart Kansas City Royals in the ALDS. The problem was that the Angels' two high-profile, splashy free agents—Pujols and outfielder Josh Hamilton—were tying up most of the budget, and the club was unable to invest in starting pitching. It also didn't help that those two generally underperformed. 

The Angels had a messy ending with Hamilton. While rehabbing from an offseason shoulder surgery in 2015, he self-reported a relapse into substance abuse. Moreno made comments to the media saying he did not want Hamilton back on the team and removed all of his merchandise from the team store. The Angels then traded him back to the Texas Rangers, ending a sad chapter in team history. 

It's not quite as messy with Pujols, though some would say he still deserved better than a DFA. Former Boston Red Sox ace and fellow Dominican Republic native Pedro Martinez said the way the Angels released him was "shameful."

Albert @PujolsFive I know the glory is of God, not of man; that’s why I’m not surprised about the shameful way @Angels treated you and your legacy today.

Everyone in baseball feels proud of you and the way you handled yourself. Thank you for being one of the best in the game 🇩🇴 pic.twitter.com/zqeiFKzAo9

— Pedro Martinez (@45PedroMartinez) May 6, 2021

The Angels said that while Pujols expressed a "passionate" desire to keep playing, ultimately there was no major fallout. 

"There was no fight, no argument," Minasian said. "The conversation went back and forth. He expressed his feelings and we expressed ours. He understood where we stood on the situation, and things did not end bad. I gave him a big hug."

But Pujols' Angels legacy doesn't define his career just like that .198 batting average doesn't define him. 

Before he started to age and his legs got heavy, before the shift started gobbling up everything on the left side, Pujols was the master of the pull. That was part of what made him so great. He had a swing so pure it elicited a different noise when the bat struck the ball in the sweet spot. 

You knew when Pujols hit one out of the park. It sounded different. It felt different. 

As it stands right now, he's fifth in MLB history with 667 career home runs, 13th all-time in hits (3,253) and 21st all-time in WAR (99.4).

He slashed .328/.420/.617 and hit 445 home runs in 11 seasons with the Cardinals. He was nearly a career .300 hitter until a few hitless performances in recent games dropped his average down to .298.

Pujols went from playing in the streets of Santo Domingo using limes for baseballs and milk cartons for gloves to winning three NL MVP Awards and three World Series titles. He's a nine-time All-Star, with his most recent appearance coming in 2015. 

As a teenager, he moved from the Dominican Republic to New York City and then to Independence, Missouri, outside of Kansas City. He hit a grand slam and turned an unassisted triple play in his first college game at Maple Woods Community College.

The team from across the state drafted him with the 402nd pick in the 1999 draft, marking the beginning of a historic career. Mark McGwire convinced Cardinals manager Tony La Russa to put him on the Opening Day roster in 2001, telling the manager that an omission might be "one of the worst moves you make in your career." Pujols rewarded that vote of confidence by winning that season's NL Rookie of the Year award. 

There is some speculation he might reunite with La Russa in Chicago with the White Sox or even head back to St. Louis. Signing Pujols, even for the league minimum, doesn't make a lot of sense for many teams, but it might for those two. 

The one team it doesn't make sense for anymore is the Angels. The club is on its third general manager since Pujols came to Orange County, and once again pitching is a problem. The Halos lost to the Rays 8-3 on Thursday night, doomed by an eighth-inning bullpen meltdown. The team is last in the AL West at 13-17 and has lost eight of its last 15 games.

The division could be in reach, but there is work to be done and stability needed with time running out.

Endings are sometimes painful. They come without warning. Sometimes players just know they are done. Sometimes teams just know they are done with players. 

Even if this isn't the end, it doesn't matter. What matters is the legacy Pujols leaves behind. 

"As an organization, we felt comfortable giving him that contract in 2011," Carpino said. "We never looked back on it. He's been here 10 years. What he accomplished, what he brought the brand, what him and his wife (Deidre) have done on and off the field, other athletes should emulate throughout their career. So we're really happy with the time we had him here."

The Los Angeles Angels stunned the baseball world Thursday when they announced they designated slugger Albert Pujols for assignment, but manager Joe Maddon provided some insight into the move.

"He does not want to be a bench player of any kind," Maddon said, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today. "He's got a lot of pride."

The 41-year-old Pujols has struggled in the early going this season and slashed .198/.250/.372 with five home runs and 12 RBI in 24 games before this move. The numbers are a far cry from his prime considering he is one of the best players in baseball history.

In all, Pujols is a three-time MVP, two-time World Series champion, 10-time All-Star, two-time Gold Glover and six-time Silver Slugger who is fifth on the all-time list with 667 home runs.

That type of resume surely leads to plenty of pride, and Maddon explained Pujols wants to start somewhere.

The Los Angeles Angels announced Thursday first baseman Albert Pujols was designated for assignment early in the final season of his 10-year, $254 million contract.

Angels owner Arte Moreno released a statement about the decision:

Statement from Arte Moreno on Albert Pujols’ release: pic.twitter.com/UQS1NKZ7H0

— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) May 6, 2021

Pujols, who ranks fifth in MLB history with 667 home runs, joined the Angels ahead of the 2012 season after spending the first 11 years of his career as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Although the 41-year-old Dominican Republic native was productive for much of the contract with L.A., highlighted by a 40-homer season in 2015, he didn't live up to the same standard he set in St. Louis. His highest OPS with the Halos was .859; his lowest OPS with the Cards was .906 in his final year with the club.

Pujols recorded five long balls through his first 24 appearances for the Angels this season, which equates to a 34-home run pace over a full campaign, but his other numbers lagged. He compiled a .622 OPS and had just two games with more than one hit as part of a .198 batting average.

Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reported there was a disagreement about the decision to bench Pujols for Wednesday night's game against the Tampa Bay Rays prior to the release:  

According to source, #Angels slugger Albert Pujols was upset that he wasn't in lineup to face #Rays bulk LHP Ryan Yarbrough last night, and that the decision to bench him came from front office, not MGR Joe Maddon. Pujols was 6 for 9 with 2 HR, 2 2Bs, 7 RBIs vs. Yarbough.

— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) May 6, 2021

In February, the three-time NL MVP left open the possibility of playing beyond the end of his contract with Los Angeles.

"I think that decision will come at the end of the year," Pujols told reporters. "My mind is staying focused [on staying] healthy and help this ballclub try to win this year."

In the end, his contract didn't work out as the Angels hoped as they qualified for the playoffs just once during Pujols' tenure, a fact made more frustrating by the presence of MLB's gold standard, Mike Trout.

While the 10-time All-Star has struggled at the plate of late, he's remained a solid defender in recent years (four defensive runs saved in 2020, per FanGraphs), which gives him a wider range of potential landing spots in free agency since he's not restricted to being a designated hitter.

Pujols could still provide some late-career pop for a contender on a more team-friendly contract, but he may be asked to accept a lesser role without an everyday lineup spot.

The Los Angeles Angels placed third baseman Anthony Rendon on the injured list with a left knee contusion, per Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times.

DiGiovanna noted an MRI showed no issues.

Rendon also missed time earlier this season with a groin injury but returned April 26. He exited Monday's loss to the Tampa Bay Rays after fouling a ball off his left knee, which led to this latest injury.

The third baseman joined the Angels after his breakout campaign in 2019, when he led the Washington Nationals to the World Series, picking up his first All-Star nod and his second Silver Slugger in the process.

Through 52 games with the Angels in 2020, he hit .286/.418/.497 with nine home runs and 31 RBI.

He's following that up with a .276/.348/.466 slash line with three home runs and 11 RBI through 15 games in 2021.

Jose Rojas will likely slot in on the hot corner while Rendon is out.

Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani was scratched from his scheduled start Monday against the Tampa Bay Rays after he was hit on the elbow with a pitch Sunday, per ESPN. 

Jose Quintana will instead get the start.   

The right-hander has made three starts this year, though his season on the mound hasn't been without incident. He suffered an injury during his first start on the mound this season after a collision at the plate with Chicago White Sox star Jose Abreu.

Even though he left the game after that April 4 play, the Angels said afterward he was not removed for injury purposes, per Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times. The 26-year-old said he was "fine" despite the issue.

The talented designated hitter showcased his full skill set earlier in that game, hitting a monster home run while also topping 100 mph as a pitcher.

SHOHEI OHTANI CRUSHES THIS HR 🤯

He did this after throwing 101 MPH in the first inning

(via @Angels)pic.twitter.com/IWghMksCEb

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 5, 2021

Ohtani has showcased his prowess at the plate in past seasons, winning the Rookie of the Year award in 2018 after he hit 22 home runs with a .285 batting average in 104 games. He also excelled on the mound that year with a 3.31 ERA in 51.2 innings.

His career has been slowed down by Tommy John surgery in 2018 that caused him to miss all of 2019. 

The Japanese star entered the day hitting .263 with eight home runs while producing a 3.29 ERA in 13.2 innings as a pitcher.

Babe Ruth is quite the company to keep when discussing major league record books, and that is the situation Los Angeles Angels pitcher Shohei Ohtani found himself in when he started Monday's game against the Texas Rangers.

Ohtani became the first pitcher to start a game on the mound while also leading the league in home runs since Ruth did so in 1921:

When Shohei Ohtani takes the mound tonight, he'll be the first pitcher to start a game while also leading the league in HR since ...
Babe Ruth, 100 𝔂𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓼 𝓪𝓰𝓸. 😱 pic.twitter.com/FsG650VD9p

— MLB (@MLB) April 26, 2021

The Angels hurler, who also plays designated hitter for his team in games he's not pitching, started Monday's slate with seven long balls.

That was good enough to be included in an eight-way tie for first in the league alongside Nelson Cruz, Eduardo Escobar, J.D. Martinez, Nick Castellanos, Ryan McMahon, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Ronald Acuna Jr.

Monday was just Ohtani's third game as a pitcher this season because of a blister, but he has still helped the Angels in the early going with his impressive offensive skills. That skill set was on full display Monday when he drove in two runs with a double and then scored to tie the game in the second inning.

Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout exited the team's game against the Houston Astros on Thursday with a left elbow contusion. 

The star took a pitch off of his elbow from Astros righthander Cristian Javier in the fourth inning, and while he took his base and remained in the game, he was pulled the following inning. 

Durability has been something of a concern of late for Trout. He played 134 games in 2019 and hasn't appeared in more than 140 since the 2016 campaign.

He is slashing .393/.507/.804 with a NL-best six home runs, and 12 RBI this season and is a force in the middle of Los Angeles' lineup. 

Trout is a future Hall of Famer and generational talent who has an incredible resume that features three league MVPs, a Rookie of the Year, eight Silver Sluggers and eight All-Star nods. He is a primary reason expectations were high this season for the Angels, and they surely need him back to live up to them.

Scott Schebler moved into center field when Trout went down on Thursday. While he could see an increased role while the team's star player is sidelined, it will be nearly impossible to replicate his production.

The Los Angeles Angels will reportedly be without third baseman Anthony Rendon for the immediate future.

According to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com, the Angels placed Rendon on the injured list because of a groin strain and recalled Jack Mayfield. They also optioned Jaime Barria and selected Ben Rowen's contract.

Manager Joe Maddon told reporters he hopes Rendon is out for just 10 days.

This is another injury for the Angels after they already lost Dexter Fowler to a torn left ACL. Maddon also told reporters Shohei Ohtani still needs to throw a bullpen session before he can be cleared to pitch, although that likely will not happen this week.

Los Angeles signed Rendon following a dominant 2019 season that saw him make his first All-Star Game, win his second Silver Slugger and win his first World Series as a member of the Washington Nationals.

He was again impressive in his first year with the Angels and slashed .286/.418/.497 with nine home runs and 31 RBI in 52 games during the shortened 2020 campaign.

Through eight games this season, Rendon is slashing .290/.378/.387 with one home run and three RBI.

Los Angeles is off to a solid start at 6-3 and is tied atop the American League West with the Houston Astros.

Look for Jose Rojas to play third base while Rendon is sidelined, although Mayfield provides important depth.

The Los Angeles Angels announced Sunday the knee injury that outfielder Dexter Fowler suffered during Friday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays was diagnosed as a torn ACL.

Fowler will undergo surgery with a recovery timetable of six-to-nine months, which likely rules him out for the remainder of the 2021 MLB season.

The Angels acquired the 2016 All-Star in a February trade with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Fowler recorded five hits in 20 at-bats with three runs scored through seven appearances to open the 2021 campaign. He's in the final season of a five-year, $82.5 million contract and will become a free agent in the offseason if he doesn't sign an extension with L.A.

The 35-year-old Atlanta native was a highly effective player from 2009 through 2017, a nine-year run that included stops with the Colorado Rockies, Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs and Cardinals. He accumulated 19.8 WAR over that span, including a career-high 4.0 WAR with the Cubs in 2016, per Baseball Reference.

His numbers dropped off in 2018, however, and he ended that season on the 60-day injured list because of a foot injury.

Fowler wasn't able to rediscover his prior top form over the past two years, though he did bounce back to play 150 games with a modest .754 OPS for the Cards in 2019.

The 6'5'' switch-hitter was expected to serve as the Angels' everyday right fielder throughout 2021. That task will now fall on the shoulders of Juan Lagares, though prospect Jo Adell could be called up to compete for playing time, among other options.

"It opens up to move things around a little bit," manager Joe Maddon told reporters. "Dex was really coming on. I think we'll see [Jose] Rojas facing some righties. So it'll be a little bit of all kinds of concoctions right now."

L.A. finishes its series with the Blue Jays on Sunday before heading to Kauffman Stadium for a three-game road set with the Kansas City Royals.