Pujols out of Angels' lineup with bruised elbow

By foxsports
Published

Los Angeles slugger Albert Pujols was not in the starting lineup for Wednesday afternoon's series finale against the Kansas City Royals, after getting hit on the right elbow by a pitch he swung at the previous night.

It was only the second time this season that the three-time NL MVP didn't start, either at first base or as the designated hitter.

The 11-time All-Star, who signed a 10-year, $254 million contract in December after leaving the World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals, entered Wednesday batting .277 with 18 homers and 61 RBIs.

Manager Mike Scioscia also announced that struggling right-hander Ervin Santana will be pushed back in the rotation to get a couple of needed ''power'' bullpen sessions in.