Angels’ Pujols out of lineup because of sore hamstring
NEW YORK - Albert Pujols was out of the Los Angeles Angels’ starting lineup on Friday at the New York Mets because of a sore right hamstring.
The 37-year-old left Wednesday’s game against the Chicago White Sox in the seventh, one inning after he was thrown out trying to stretch a single into a double.
Angels manager Mike Scioscia said Pujols had an MRI, which showed tendinitis in the hamstring.
“Nothing more than that,” Scioscia said. “It’s sore.”
Los Angeles was starting a 10-game trip that included a pair of three-game series at National League ballparks, where there is no designated hitter.
“We’re just going to take a little precaution to make sure he’s a certain level before he plays first base,” Scioscia said. “We’re just going to read it on a daily basis.”
Pujols is hitting .247 with five homers and 32 RBIs, usually hitting third in the order behind AL MVP Mike Trout.
“There’s obviously going to be a little hole in your lineup, and you just work around it,” Scioscia said.
Scioscia said he would determine Pujols’ availability as a pinch hitter after the star hit in the batting cage.
Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward ready to return to lineup:
Outfielder Jason Heyward is ready to return the Chicago Cubs’ lineup.
Heyward expects to play Saturday against the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers after being sidelined for two weeks because of a sore knuckle on his right hand.
He was hurt May 5 against the New York Yankees and placed on the 10-day disabled list three days later. Heyward is hitting .253 with three homers and 17 RBIs.
With Heyward coming back, manager Joe Maddon acknowledged the Cubs have a “very tough” decision to make. Do they send surging rookie Ian Happ back to the minors or someone else?
Happ, the No. 9 overall draft pick in 2015, was 6 for 17 with two homers and four RBIs entering Friday’s game. He was called up from Triple-A Iowa on May 13.
Milwaukee slugger Braun nears return from DL for calf strain:
Milwaukee slugger Ryan Braun could return as early as Sunday from a left calf strain.
Manager Craig Counsell made the announcement Friday before the Brewers’ series opener at Wrigley Field against the Cubs.
Braun has been on disabled list retroactive to May 11. In 27 games, he has seven homers, 18 RBIs and is batting .287.
Braun, a six-time All Star and 2011 National League MVP, has been taking batting practice and throwing. Counsell says Braun has been “making progress” and “won’t say it’s going to be for sure on Sunday yet, but it will be close.”
Slugger Eric Thames was back in the Brewers’ starting lineup at first base on Friday after missing three games in San Diego with strep throat. He pinch hit on Thursday, when the Brewers won their ninth game in 11.
Under Armour to make MLB uniforms in 2019, a year early:
Under Armour will take over from Majestic Athletic as the supplier of Major League Baseball uniforms in 2019, a year earlier than previously scheduled.
Fanatics Inc. and MLB announced an agreement in December that gave the company licensing rights to manufacture and distribute merchandise starting in 2020. Fanatics signed a deal last month to buy VF Corp.’s Licensed Sports Group and with it the 600-worker Majestic Athletic plant in Easton, Pennsylvania, where team jerseys and fan apparel are manufactured.
Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said Thursday that fan merchandise from Under Armour will be available next year and that Under Armour will be used for dugout clothing during the 2018 postseason. The full switch to Under Armour for on-field apparel will take place for the 2019 season.
— Wire services