Pujols returns to Angels lineup as DH
Los Angeles Angels slugger Albert Pujols returned to the lineup after missing three games with tendinitis in his right hamstring.
Pujols was listed as the designated hitter and batting third at Tampa Bay. He was hitting .247 with five homers and 32 RBIs in 40 games before being sidelined.
Pujols is four homers away from 600 in his career.
Infielder Nolan Fontana, recalled by the Angels from Triple-A Salt Lake, was starting at second base in his major league debut.
To make room for Fontana, infielder C.J. Cron was optioned to Salt Lake.
Mariners: Seattle recalled catcher Mike Zunino and pitcher Emilio Pagan from Triple-A Tacoma and optioned three players to help clear a spot for the expected return of second baseman Robinson Cano.
The Mariners made the roster moves on an off day before the start of a three-city road trip today. The Mariners optioned pitcher Chris Heston, catcher Tuffy Gosewisch and infielder Daniel Vogelbach with the expectation that Cano will be able to come off the disabled list after missing time with a strained quadriceps.
Zunino started the season with the Mariners but was sent down earlier this month after batting .167 in the first 24 games. Zunino hit .293 and had five home runs in 41 at-bats with Tacoma.
Braves: First baseman James Loney requested and received his release from the Triple-A team.
Loney, 33, signed a minor league deal Thursday after the Braves learned first baseman Freddie Freeman will miss about 10 weeks with a fractured left wrist.
On Saturday, the Braves acquired Matt Adams from St. Louis. Adams was immediately inserted into Atlanta’s starting lineup on Sunday, blocking Loney’s path to the majors.
Braves general manager John Coppolella said Saturday the team wouldn’t have signed Loney if it knew it would be able to trade for Adams.
Mets: Tim Tebow may have found his hitting groove once more with the Columbia Fireflies.
After ending an 0-for-18 slump with an RBI double Saturday against the West Virginia Power, Tebow followed that up with his first home run in six weeks on Sunday for the Class A affiliate.
The former NFL quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner also became the first Firefly — it’s a 2-year-old franchise — to trade jokes on late-night TV as a guest on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” on Wednesday — which was an off day for the club.
Tebow played in six of Columbia’s seven games this week.
Cubs: Lefty reliever Zac Rosscup was promoted from Triple-A.