Albert Pujols has been designated for assignment by the Los Angeles Angels, the team announced Thursday.
Pujols is slashing .198/.250/.372 in 92 plate appearances this season, with five home runs and 12 RBIs. For his career, the 10-time All-Star has slashed .298/.376/.545 with 667 home runs and 2,112 RBIs.
Pujols, 41, is fifth in major league history in career homers and second behind Hank Aaron in RBIs. He is fifth in doubles (669), total bases (5,955) and extra-base hits (1,352) and 13th in major league history with 3,253 hits. He also is the oldest active player in the majors.
“The Angels Organization proudly signed Albert Pujols in 2011, and are honored that he has worn an Angels jersey for nearly half of his Hall-of-Fame Career,” Angels owner Arte Moreno said in a statement. “Albert’s historical accomplishments, both on and off the field, serve as an inspiration to athletes everywhere, and his actions define what it means to be a true Superstar. Since his Rookie of the Year Season in 2001, Albert and his wife Deidre have generously given their time and resources to countless charities throughout the world. We are thankful to the entire Pujols Family.”
When a player is designated for assignment, a team has seven days to either trade the player or place him on irrevocable outright waivers. If the player goes unclaimed on waivers, he then can be released.
The Angels are covered at the two positions Pujols played for the Angels — first base and designated hitter — with Jared Walsh and Shohei Ohtani, respectively.
Pujols’ achievements with Los Angeles have been mostly statistical, including the 500th and 600th homers and the 3,000th hit of his career. He was in the Opening Day lineup for the 21st consecutive season, joining Pete Rose and Eddie Murray as the only major leaguers to reach that milestone.
Pujols’ 10-year, $240 million contract with the Angels expires after this season, and he is making $30 million in salary this year. He said in February that he hadn’t decided whether to continue playing after this season.
Pujols batted .328 with 445 homers while winning three NL MVP awards in 11 seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, but he has been a .256 hitter with 222 homers over nine-plus seasons in Anaheim.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Alden Gonzalez and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Source:ESPN
