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Pujols unclear about role as Angels mull plan for Ohtani

Greg Fiume / Getty Images Sport / Getty

As the Los Angeles Angels deliberate over how to best deploy two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani, their venerated designated hitter, Albert Pujols, remains in the dark about his own role for 2018.

For the past two seasons, Pujols has played the field only sparingly, but with first baseman C.J. Cron no longer in the picture - he was traded to Tampa Bay in February - and Ohtani expected to receive semi-regular at-bats at DH, the 38-year-old appears poised to get more than the occasional start at first base.

Or so it would seem. According to Pujols, who logged just six games at first in 2017, the Angels have yet to clarify how he'll be utilized this season.

"I don't know what's going on," Pujols told Bob Nightengale of USA Today. "Nobody has told me anything about it. I really don't know what the whole plan is.

"I just know that I'm here. And my job is to put the uniform on and play. We'll see what they want me to do."

For his part, Pujols, now heading into the seventh season of a 10-year, $240-million contract, is preparing to play first base regularly in 2018. In his younger days, he was a capable defender, earning a pair of Gold Gloves during his 11-year run with the St. Louis Cardinals, but age and mobility issues have effectively limited the 10-time All-Star to DH duties in recent seasons.

"I get myself ready every year to play first base, so I don't know why everybody is making such a big deal about it," Pujols said. "People are making it out like I have to learn how to play that position. It's silly.

"First base is like riding a bike. You don't have to ride it every day. You can go 20 years without riding it, and first time you might get on it might feel weird, but it comes back."

Moreover, playing the field might take some of the offensive pressure off Pujols, who posted career-worsts in WAR (minus-2.0), batting average (.241), OBP (.286), slugging percentage (.386), isolated power (.145), and walk rate (5.8 percent) last year.

"When I'm out there, I'm much more in the game," Pujols said. "I don't have to think about my at-bats. I can play defense and separate that from the offense. I’ll be able to enjoy it more."

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