Despite better numbers when he plays first, Pujols says he's fine at DH

ARLINGTON, TEXAS >> Albert Pujols shrugged off the question, but the numbers, at least through the first eight-plus weeks of this season, remain rather clear.

He hits better when he plays first base, as he did on Monday when he hit a two-run home run to left field to offer all the offense in a 2-0 victory over the Texas Rangers. Pujols started at first base for the second consecutive game Tuesday night.

In his first 48 at-bats while in the lineup at first base, Pujols had a .313 batting average, .400 on-base percentage and .604 slugging percentage. As the designated hitter, those numbers are a .195 batting average, .270 on-base percentage and .333 slugging percentage in 123 at-bats.

“It doesn’t make any difference for me,” Pujols said. “I still have to prepare myself. I don’t get caught up in those numbers.”

For most of the 36-year-old slugger’s career, he has been in the lineup as the first baseman. But since signing with the Angels, he has increasingly spent more time as the designated hitter as a way to keep him healthy while under contract through 2021. He underwent foot surgery last winter.

This season, he is on track to start more games at designated hitter than in the field for the first time in his career. He started a career-high 62 games as the DH last season.

“When he plays first base, it’s like he’s in a baseball game,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. “He’s definitely more comfortable.”

But Scioscia cautioned against using Pujols too frequently there.

“Eventually, I think with Albert, if he pushes too much at first base, no matter how comfortable he feels, he might not be as strong in the batter’s box as he needs to be,” Scioscia said.

Pujols said he is fine with that.

“It’s not about me,” he said. “It’s about our ball club. Whatever I can do to help our ball club.”

Skaggs not throwing

Tyler Skaggs was cleared to begin throwing last week, but he has not yet thrown off a mound, Scioscia said Tuesday.

The 24-year-old left-hander started the season at Triple-A Salt Lake as part of his rehab from Tommy John surgery, but that was stalled because of tendinitis in the biceps.

“It’s frustrating for Tyler,” Scioscia said, “but he understands there’s a rehab process.”

It has been more than a month since Skaggs last pitched in a game. That was April 20 when he went 67 pitches over 3 2/3 innings at Fresno.

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He began building up his innings late in spring training and was planning to see an uptick in innings before the setback.

“I don’t know if we’re knocked back to ground zero, but there’s no doubt,” Scioscia said when asked if Skaggs’ throwing program would have to be reset. “He was ready to take that four- to five-inning jump and he’s going to have to start slower obviously.”

Before he was sidelined in 2014, Skaggs was 5-5 with a 4.30 ERA, 86 strikeouts and 30 walks in 18 starts with the Angels.

Also

Shortstop Andrelton Simmons, out until at least late June after thumb surgery, started baseball activities this week, including swinging off a tee, taking ground balls, throwing and running. “It’s baby steps right now, to lengthen out the time so he can go at a slower pace with some things,” Scioscia said. “He’s still weeks away.” ... Infielder Cliff Pennington (hamstring) is scheduled for a minor league rehab assignment Thursday. He is eligible to be activated from the disabled list Saturday. ... Right-handed relievers AJ Achter and Al Alburquerque cleared waivers and were outrighted to Triple-A Salt Lake.

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