May 31, 2017 Page 1 of 43

Clips

(May 31, 2017)

May 31, 2017 Page 2 of 43

Today’s Clips Contents

FROM LOS ANGELES TIMES (Page 4)

Albert Pujols’ 599th homer starts Angels’ 9-3 romp over Braves

Mike Trout gets advice from Chris Paul and Andrelton Simmons on thumb injury

Angels' Albert Pujols nears historic home run mark

Loss of Mike Trout will be a difficult, but not impossible, task for the Angels to

overcome

FROM THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER (Page 12)

Albert Pujols hits 599th career home run as Angels embarrass Braves Miller: Appreciating Pujols and the historic moment of 600 HRs Angels Notes: Injury likely to jeopardize Mike Trout’s run of All-Star appearances

FROM ANGELS.COM (Page 19)

Close races abound in AL All-Star voting

Pujols' 599th fuels huge frame to sink Braves

Say halo to 599! Pujols on power trip

Chavez looks to stay on roll at home

Maybin feels tightness in side after great catch

FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (Page 28)

Albert Pujols hits 599th HR in Angels' 9-3 win over Braves

LEADING OFF: Pujols takes aim at 600; Tanaka tough at night

FROM ESPN.COM (Page 31)

Real or not? Albert Pujols' chase for 600 isn't exciting, Robbie Ray is All-Star candidate

FROM CBS SPORTS (Page 33)

These five players could benefit most in the AL MVP race from Mike Trout's injury

May 31, 2017 Page 3 of 43

FROM SPORTING NEWS (Page 35)

Mike Trout's injury likely doesn't change his Hall of Fame chances

2017 MLB All-Star Game voting: Mike Trout leads AL, Aaron Judge close behind

FROM FIVETHIRTYEIGHT (Page 39)

Losing Mike Trout For 7 Weeks Is Like Losing A Normal Star For A Full Season

FROM SB NATION (Page 42)

Albert Pujols quietly sits one homer form 600

May 31, 2017 Page 4 of 43

FROM THE LOS ANGELES TIMES

Albert Pujols’ 599th homer starts Angels’ 9-3 romp over Braves

By Pedro Moura

When Albert Pujols reached 500 career home runs, he improbably hit Nos. 499 and 500 on the same

night, three years ago in Washington. On Tuesday at Angel Stadium, Pujols had the opportunity to one-

up himself and complete his latest milestone within the same inning.

He could not, but he aided the Angels’ efforts in a 9-3 victory over Atlanta.

At 8:01 p.m, Pujols slammed the 599th home run of his lengthy, illustrious career off of fellow

Dominican Bartolo Colon. At 8:19, he came up to bat again, amid the Angels’ bizarre nine-run third

inning. Rookie right-hander Luke Jackson had replaced Colon, and he walked Pujols to the

disappointment of the home crowd. The fans sat back down and put away their cellphones. The

anticipation again surfaced in the fifth inning, when Pujols flied out, and the eighth, when he struck out.

With his homer, Pujols did tie Babe Ruth with his 2,873rd hit, 44th all time.

Milestone home runs are never a surprise. The Angels have long had an adjustable billboard promoting

this impending achievement beyond the bleachers in center field. But in his swooping pursuit, Pujols

managed to inject some excitement into the inevitability.

After Juan Graterol singled to begin the third inning and Kole Calhoun reached on a one-out throwing

error, Pujols battled Colon to eight pitches before he received a 3-and-2 fastball up in the strike zone.

Like he has so many times since the turn of the century, Pujols whipped his hands and forced the

baseball into the left-field bleachers, 410 feet from home plate. The three-run homer moved the Angels

ahead, 3-2.

“That’s a huge hit to get us back on top,” manager Mike Scioscia said. “And then we just put the ball in

play, ran the bases and ended up looking up and seeing nine runs on the board.”

Stadium officials got to work changing the billboard from 598 to 599, and the Angels continued to

rally. Luis Valbuena singled through to right field, Andrelton Simmons reached on an error by

young Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson, and Ben Revere reached on a fielder’s choice that first

baseman Matt Adams fielded but inexplicably could not throw. Cliff Pennington reached on a similar

mistake by Colon, and on it went until Luis Valbuena lined into a double play after Pujols’ walk.

There were three Atlanta errors in all and several more misplays.

“They cracked the door open for us,” Scioscia said. “But we put a lot of pressure on them.”

The Angels’ spot starter was 25-year-old right-hander Parker Bridwell, who was making his first major

league start. He began by allowing singles to three of the first four hitters he faced. On the third, to right

May 31, 2017 Page 5 of 43

field by Adams, Calhoun threw home to erase Nick Markakis, who was trying to score from second.

Bridwell settled, struck out Tyler Flowers looking and retired the next four Braves to bat.

“I pride myself on not showing any emotion,” Bridwell said.

He issued a one-out walk to Ender Inciarte in the third and grooved a first-pitch fastball to Matt Kemp,

who hit a two-run homer. Bridwell did not permit another hit until Flowers led off with the seventh

inning with a home run to center.

When Rio Ruiz followed with a single, Scioscia called in right-hander Deolis Guerra. He and David

Hernandez worked through the rest of the game without issue.

“He was not fazed by Kemp’s home run,” Scioscia said of Bridwell. “Great poise.”

While successful, Bridwell’s major league stay should be brief. He was filling the spot of right-hander

Alex Meyer, who is now likely to rejoin the rotation Thursday against his former team, the Minnesota

Twins.

The Angels announced a Tuesday crowd of 32,028 fans, most of whom immediately exited as soon as

Pujols swung and missed at an Ian Krol breaking ball in the eighth inning.

Mike Trout gets advice from Chris Paul and Andrelton Simmons on thumb injury

By Pedro Moura

Clippers guard Chris Paul visited Angel Stadium on Monday to celebrate his son’s birthday. He had

planned to meet with Mike Trout. It happened to be the same day that Trout learned he had torn the

ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb.

Paul tore that ligament in January. His surgery was performed by the same doctor who will perform

Trout’s on Wednesday: Steven Shin. To repair similar injuries, Shin has recently used an innovative

treatment using a so-called internal brace that accelerates recoveries and allows athletes to resume

training within one week of surgery.

When Paul spoke to Trout and fellow Angel Tyler Skaggs on Monday, he advised Trout of his experience

and showed him the video of his surgery. Shortly afterward, Trout elected to have the surgery. An

estimated recovery timeline of six to eight weeks was announced; recent events show he could beat

that estimation.

Trout also received advice from Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons, who suffered a similar injury last

May. Angels manager Mike Scioscia said he understood Simmons’ full-thickness tear to be more

significant than Trout’s.

“But you’ll never know until they go in and do the surgery,” Scioscia said. “Andrelton came back in five

weeks, and if that happened to Mike obviously we’d be very pleased.”

May 31, 2017 Page 6 of 43

Simmons resumed playing five weeks and three days after his surgery by Shin. Paul required five weeks

and four days.

“I gave him some of my input, some of my experiences of how it went, how it felt when I came back,”

Simmons said. “What I basically told him is, for me, it was sore throughout the year, but less and less

with time. But hitting wasn’t that big of an issue. It was diving that was scary. That, for me, was one of

the things that made me take longer.”

Simmons said he did not anticipate Trout sharing that concern, given his position.

Trout was again unavailable to speak to reporters Tuesday. Before the 7 p.m. game, a club spokesperson

said he was not at the stadium.

Maybin hurting

In making a run-saving catch while replacing Trout in center field Monday, Cameron Maybin may have

hurt his right side. He reported feeling discomfort in the area when he arrived at Angel Stadium on

Tuesday and was scheduled to be evaluated by team doctors.

“I don’t think any tests are planned right now,” Scioscia said. “Hopefully, it’s just a day-to-day thing.”

Short hops

Third baseman Yunel Escobar, on the disabled list with a hamstring strain, worked out again Tuesday.

Next, he’ll play for Class-A Inland Empire on Wednesday and could be activated as soon as Thursday.

...The Angels optioned infielder Nolan Fontana to triple A to make room for right-hander Parker

Bridwell, who started Tuesday against Atlanta. ...Reliever Huston Street said he will make a four-out

appearance for Inland Empire Thursday or Friday. Sidelined since spring training because of a lat strain,

he should be activated next week.

Angels' Albert Pujols nears historic home run mark

By Pedro Moura

It’s an April afternoon in Kansas City, 15 miles from where Albert Pujols graduated high school, 250 miles

from where he established himself as the best ballplayer in the first decade of the millennium.

Inside the visiting clubhouse at Kauffman Stadium, couches and chairs separate the expansive room in

two. Pujols sits at the end of a row, next to his teenage son, A.J., who’s hanging around the team for the

series. Adjacent to A.J. are several Angels, including Mike Trout.

A television suspended from the ceiling shows a game between Pittsburgh and the Chicago Cubs, which

Trout and the others watch and comment on between bits of Words with Friends and other distractions

on their mobile devices.

May 31, 2017 Page 7 of 43

Pujols is not watching the game. His headphones in, he’s hoisting a tablet in front of him. It’s playing his

highlights as a St. Louis Cardinal, and he’s hammering homer after homer.

“Sometimes, you see him watching video of his at-bats in St. Louis,” Trout said. “It’s just incredible.”

Pujols said he is watching his swing. A teammate suggests there might be other motivations.

“When he watches his video, he watches home runs that he hit,” said Angels closer Bud Norris, who has

faced Pujols more than he has any other major leaguer and held him to a .190 average. “He doesn’t

watch me punching him out every . . . time.

“. . . He’s implementing positive feedback. He’s remembering how good it felt.”

It must have felt great. At this stage in his career, Pujols is summarily unwilling to discuss the differences

between his past and his present. But the statistics speak sufficiently. From 2001 to 2010, he averaged

41 home runs per season, hit .331, got on base 42.6% of the time, and slugged .624. His on-base-plus-

slugging percentage was 79 points higher than the next-best player, Alex Rodriguez.

Now Pujols is at the cusp of joining Rodriguez and seven other major leaguers with 600 home runs.

Rodriguez joined that exclusive club in August 2010, becoming the youngest player to do it, at 35 years 8

days, before his career was enveloped in a steroid shroud. At 41, he is working as a television analyst.

Pujols, 37, is under contract with the Angels for 4 1/2 more seasons, over which he will be paid about

$130 million. The question is, how valuable can he be while his career winds down and his salary rises?

It’s a question that fascinates many people who evaluate ballplayers as a profession. As long as the

public has known him, Pujols has been an anomaly. Over 22 months in the early 2000s, he transformed

from the 402nd overall pick in the 1999 draft into a superstar.

For the decade that followed, he exhibited no signs of decline and scarcely any variance. Only in his final

season in St. Louis was there even an inkling he would be subject to age-related decline along with the

rest of the population.

To even take the field regularly at his age qualifies as anomalous. Over the last half-century, only 2% of

position players 37 or older have had enough plate appearances in a season to qualify for a batting title.

Pujols is attempting to become the fifth player to do that five consecutive times, joining Pete Rose, Craig

Biggio, Rickey Henderson and Paul Molitor.

But because of his contract, and the inextricable extent to which the Angels have tied their fortunes to

his, Pujols cannot merely survive to be considered a success. He must defy the aging curve’s continued

onslaught. To do that, he must stay healthy, a goal that has eluded him in recent seasons.

Pujols has had foot surgery in consecutive winters, twice putting his opening-day readiness in jeopardy.

While he made it back each time, his running never recovered, and major league scouts say he’s now

one of the slowest players in the sport. Watching him run could be described as painful. It’s a struggle.

May 31, 2017 Page 8 of 43

His hitting, too, appears affected. This season, Pujols is striking out more than ever before and hitting for

less power. He’s on pace to hit 21 home runs, which would approach the career-low 17 he hit in his

injury-shortened 99-game 2013 season.

“For me, his body is the key,” said a scout who spoke anonymously because his team does not allow him

to comment on opposing players. “Can he keep his lower half healthy? Lower-half injuries make it nearly

impossible to hit the way you normally would. His approach and ability to manage the strike zone are

still at elite levels and I don’t expect that to change, unless he gets to a point where he loses bat speed,

causing him to cheat for fastballs. His swing, though, is short and direct. He can still get to any fastball.”

The scout continued: “The rare times I see him struggle are against guys with good breaking balls that

have downward action. Even then, though, you’re not getting him out the same way twice. His body is

heavy. To survive the contract, he will need to do something different as far as nutrition and workouts.”

Though he is resting more this season, Pujols and the Angels say there are no plans to reshape the

slugger’s body.

“Every day I come here, I look at myself in the mirror and remind myself to give everything that I can of

whatever I feel that day,” Pujols said recently. “If I feel 75%, I’ll give 100% of that 75%. If it’s 50%, I’ll give

100% of that 50%. And if it’s 100%, then 110% of that.”

Pujols entered Tuesday’s game hitting .249, his seventh slow start in as many seasons. Yet, every time

he makes an out he has the same thought about the opposing pitcher.

“I feel that he just got lucky,” Pujols said, cackling in laughter.

Right-hander Jesse Chavez, who joined the Angels this year after pitching for six other organizations, has

never struck out Pujols in 21 plate appearances. He finds him the hardest hitter to face in the major

leagues.

In his fifth career start, Chavez, then with Oakland, gave up home run No. 496 to Pujols in 2014, and the

pitcher knew immediately. He turned his head to the side in disgust, where he noticed Pujols’ inimitable

ogling of his handiwork.

His next time up, Pujols grounded out harmlessly to shortstop, and as he jogged down the line, Chavez

sensed the opposite feeling. Chavez had made what he thought was a great pitch, but Pujols was

frustrated at himself.

“He’s never tipping his hat to the pitcher. He gets himself out,” Chavez said. “That’s what I’ve learned

from him. That’s why he’s still here.”

The Angels are using that feeling for encouragement.

“I don’t think pitchers are beating him,” manager Mike Scioscia said. “He’s always been, historically, a

slow starter. You compound that with his spring not being in depth to where you might have wanted it,

May 31, 2017 Page 9 of 43

and you can point to some markers that say, ‘OK, he’s not where he should be.’ But some of the internal

things of how hard he’s hitting the ball are markers that are right where you’d expect them to be.”

Scioscia then noted Pujols’ place among the American League’s RBI leaders and asked a reporter to

verify his standing. He started Tuesday fifth, with 35, one behind injured teammate Trout.

Scioscia continued: “When you knock in a run, that still carries an enormous amount of weight to what

your offense is about. You look at Tony Perez, Edgar Martinez. Historically, there are guys who you

didn’t want up there in those situations. Albert’s one of those guys.”

Asked if he believed there was such a thing as having a knack for driving in runs, Scioscia equivocated.

“I think if your process is right and you’re gonna put the ball in play, put it in play hard, and not strike

out a lot — and Albert has never had that issue — then you’re gonna have chances to drive in more runs

with the power that he has,” he said.

Pujols’ strikeout rate remains less than the league average, but it’s more than 70% higher than his

career mark, and nearly 50% higher than last year. Angels hitting coach Dave Hansen said he was

unconcerned by that increase.

“I honestly don’t even look at it with him,” Hansen said. “I’m looking at what he’s doing with his RBIs,

and trying to keep him in his zone. That’s it.”

The topic is taboo around the Angels, but it could be that Pujols is already adjusting to his age and

limited mobility. With runners in scoring position, he seems willing to spray balls across the field for

singles. But when the bases are clear, he becomes more apt to try for a home run or extra-base hit.

“I think he just wants to do a little too much sometimes, so he’ll take a chance later in a count, maybe

where he wouldn’t have before,” Hansen said. “He probably would’ve laid off that pitch knowing he’d

walk or get another pitch. That’s the best way I can put it.”

Obstinance helped make Pujols the most feared slugger in the game for a decade, and even in decline he

has changed little.

He’s famous for the consistency of his pregame routine, in which he hits off a tee in a cycle from right to

left, transitions to hitting soft tosses, then turns on the pitching machine. For 18 seasons, it’s been the

same, and the Angels’ batting practice pitcher, Mike Ashman, estimated Pujols still does the same drills

158 games per year.

“It’s not elaborate,” Hansen said. “It’s just focused. The real separator is how committed and focused he

is. That’s really the epitome of his career.”

Two days into 2016 spring training, new Angels utilityman Cliff Pennington realized he had watched

Pujols complete the same hitting exercises both mornings.

May 31, 2017 Page 10 of 43

“And you’re like, ‘Well, maybe that's why he's so good,’” Pennington said. “And then he does the same

thing the third day, the fourth day. It’s still the same. He’s so good at doing it every single day that it

almost seems mechanical. Only a computer could repeat itself every single day. We’re all human. We all

think, ‘Maybe I’ll try this.’ But he doesn’t do that. He just goes on.”

He has, and he will. Seven hundred home runs are within Pujols’ grasp, as are 3,000 hits — he started

Tuesday 121 shy. More imminent is 610 home runs, which would vault him ahead of fellow Dominican

Sammy Sosa for the most by a Latin American-born player. As 600 nears, Pujols has declined to speak

about its significance.

“I don’t want to talk about that yet,” he said recently. “I promise you, after it happens, we can talk all

about it. I just don’t want to right now.”

Trout said he did not think Pujols paid attention to milestones until they occurred.

“Them round numbers,” Trout said. “They get you.”

Indications are otherwise. In March, as NBA star Russell Westbrook neared his own milestone of

averaging a triple-double in a season, Pujols kept abreast. Two of the Angels’ most fervent basketball

fans, pitchers Garrett Richards and Andrew Heaney, hail from Oklahoma and are fans of Westbrook’s

team, the Oklahoma City Thunder. When they talked up their superstar, Pujols engaged in smack talk,

noting that Westbrook was also approaching another ignominious marker: 400 turnovers.

Pujols’ sentimentality seems to vary. Plenty of young players relay stories about his kind words to them.

After starting pitcher Alex Meyer’s second outing with the Angels last season, Pujols privately suggested

to him to look into the possibility he had been tipping his curveball. The next afternoon, Pujols watched

the video himself and told the pitcher it was a false alarm.

Then there are stories like Norris’ first major league hit. In his first career start, he faced the Cardinals at

Busch Stadium and beat out an infield single. When he got back to first base, Pujols showed him the

baseball with a quizzical look on his face.

“Do you really want this?” he asked Norris.

In April 2014, Pujols hit his 499th and 500th home runs in the same game, at Washington. He told

reporters later that night he felt something “special” during batting practice. Upon returning home from

a nine-game trip, he fielded the same assortment of questions from local reporters he did back East.

They asked, generally, how it felt to occupy such rarefied air, and Pujols said what he typically says: that

he was honored to be among such greats, but that he hadn’t yet contextualized his own achievements

and would do so only upon the end of his career.

“That’s for you guys to talk about, not me,” he said.

At that, he opened a top cabinet in his locker, grabbed a gold necklace with the numbers 5-0-0 dangling

from the chain, tucked it around his head, and walked out of the Angels clubhouse.

May 31, 2017 Page 11 of 43

Loss of Mike Trout will be a difficult, but not impossible, task for the Angels to overcome

By Mike DiGiovanna

The Angels did not merely survive a season-ending knee injury to ace Garrett Richards in 2014; they

thrived without their best pitcher, going 21-7 in the wake of his Aug. 20 injury and turning a half-game

lead in the American League West into a division-clinching 11 1/2-game bulge by Sept. 18.

So it was natural for the Angels to cling to that experience in the face of Monday’s devastating news,

when they learned that star center fielder Mike Trout, considered the best all-around player in baseball,

will undergo surgery for a torn left-thumb ligament and be out for six to eight weeks.

“When Garrett went down in 2014, that was a big blow to our pitching staff, but everyone pulled

together, and we finished up pretty strong,” right fielder Kole Calhoun said.

“Not having a guy like Mike, things are definitely stacked against us, but we have a lot of guys in here,

and if we play together, if we pull together as a team, we can still be pretty good.”

Not to say that won’t happen — who knows with these Angels, who showed how unpredictable they can

be with some dramatic come-from-behind wins early in the season and have weathered the loss of top

relievers Cam Bedrosian, Huston Street and Andrew Bailey to forge a highly reliable bullpen.

But the loss of Trout will be much more difficult to overcome than the loss of Richards in 2014.

For one, Richards started once every five days, while Trout plays every day, impacting games with his

lethal bat, his speed on the bases, his stellar defense and a lineup presence, which can force opposing

pitchers to alter their approach against the Angels.

The Angels had four solid starters in 2014 in Jered Weaver, Matt Shoemaker, C.J. Wilson and Hector

Santiago, a deep and versatile bullpen headed by Street, Joe Smith, Kevin Jepsen and Jason Grilli and a

potent offense that eased the burden on the pitching staff.

“The guy’s been on the field with us every single game for his entire big-league career. To have him on

the disabled list for the first time is kind of the unknown,” Calhoun said of Trout. “It’s definitely tough.

He’s the best player in the game, so guys are gonna have to pick up the slack around here.”

Especially Calhoun. New second baseman Danny Espinosa has been a huge disappointment, batting .141

with 55 strikeouts entering Tuesday night’s game against Atlanta, and new corner infielder Luis

Valbuena, expected to be a middle-of-the-order threat, is batting .173 in 25 games of an injury plagued

season.

But the struggles of Calhoun, who hit .266 with a .763 on-base-plus-slugging percentage, 61 homers and

216 RBIs in his first three full major league seasons (2014-2016), have been the biggest surprise.

May 31, 2017 Page 12 of 43

Calhoun, who signed a three-year, $26-million extension over the winter, is batting .205 with a .606 OPS,

five homers and 16 RBIs in 51 games. He hit .255 with a .676 OPS in April and is batting .151 with a .528

OPS in May.

“There’s a cliché about seeing the ball well: A lot of guys throw that around, but I think in Kole’s case,

there’s no doubt that he’s a little hard, he’s a little jumpy, he’s just trying too hard,” manager Mike

Scioscia said. “He definitely needs to exhale and have things slow down in the batter’s box.”

The left-handed-hitting Calhoun normally hits left-handers almost as well as he hits right-handers. He

has a career .266 average and .762 OPS against right-handers and a .245 average and .713 OPS against

left-handers.

Those numbers are heavily skewed this season. Calhoun is batting .234 with a .663 OPS against right-

handers and .098 with a .391 OPS against lefties. With runners on second and third, two outs and a

chance to cut into Atlanta’s 6-3 lead, Calhoun struck out to end the fifth inning of Monday night’s loss.

“He’s working very hard on it,” Scioscia said. “This guy is such a gamer. He does anything for the team,

whether it’s diving for a ball in right field, pulling for guys, hitting first, second, sixth in lineup. … He’s all

about the team, so for him to struggle, there’s nobody who feels it more than he does.

“He’s too talented to stay down for a long time. This guy is a good player. He’ll find it. Right now, it’s a

matter of slowing some things down in the batter’s box, taking some of the things pitchers are giving

him and trying to use the whole field. If he does that, I think you’ll see him start to swing the bat to his

capabilities.”

FROM THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Albert Pujols hits 599th career home run as Angels embarrass Braves

By J.P. Hoornstra

ANAHEIM — Angels pitcher Parker Bridwell had never started a Major League Baseball game before

Tuesday. When you are 25 years old and your career consists of seven innings, it all seems new. It must.

When you are 44-year-old Bartolo Colon, even that wacky third inning that began with the 599th home

run of Albert Pujols’ career and ended with seven unearned runs carries the familiar ring of history. This

was how the Angels comically dismantled the Braves, 9-3, on Tuesday. It’s how Colon’s day ended after 2⅓

miserable innings, and how Bridwell earned the first win of his fledgling career.

The third inning featured three errors by the Braves sandwiched around six hits by the Angels. Fourteen

men batted in total and everyone scored once. The Angels hadn’t scored nine runs in an inning since July

of last year.

The big blow: Pujols’ home run on the eighth pitch he saw from Colon, a belt-high fastball down the heart

May 31, 2017 Page 13 of 43

of the plate. It traveled 410 feet into the left-field bleachers.

Not only is he one home run shy of 600, Pujols needs one hit to pass Babe Ruth for 44th all-time. Neither

he nor Angels manager Mike Scioscia were aware of the significance of Pujols’ 2,873rd career hit until it

flashed on the Angel Stadium video board.

“When I play the game during the season, it’s hard for me to focus on who’s in front of me,” Pujols said.

“I’m aware of the history, don’t get me wrong. I respect that, but I think that’s a kind of distraction that I

don’t want to bring into the game for me.”

The home run became an instant piece of history and Angel Stadium became an eager viewing gallery for

more. When Pujols struck out in his final at-bat in the eighth inning against Jason Motte, many of the

remaining 32,028 fans headed for the exits.

The Angels weren’t done scoring after Pujols hit his home run.

The next batter, Luis Valbuena, singled. Andrelton Simmons nearly grounded into an inning-ending double

play, but Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson charged and missed a routine ground ball. That opened the

floodgates for six more runs. The inning ended when Valbuena batted for the second time and lined into a

double play.

“We pressured (Colon) a little bit, had some guys in motion, put the ball in play,” Scioscia said. “A lot of the

miscues in the inning led to runs, which obviously kept the momentum on our side.”

The Braves compounded their three fielding errors — one by Colon — with two mental errors in the

inning.

Ben Revere chopped a ground ball that presented first baseman Matt Adams with a fit of indecision. He

looked at home plate, where a good throw might have retired Valbuena, but decided to hold the ball

instead. Adams never turned to first base to try and retire Revere.

The next batter, Cliff Pennington, chopped a ground ball back to the mound. Colon looked toward second

base where Revere was bearing down but decided not to throw. Colon threw home, too late for catcher

Tyler Flowers to tag out Simmons.

The half-inning lasted so long that Bridwell (1-0) had to play catch in an indoor batting cage to stay warm.

When he went back out for the fourth inning, he was pitching with a seven-run lead.

“Starting helped me kind of settle in, make pitches and execute,” said Bridwell, who made two relief

appearances for the Baltimore Orioles last season. “I felt good. Honestly, I wasn’t as nervous as I thought I

was going to be.”

Atlanta did all its damage against Bridwell on a two-run home run by Matt Kemp in the second inning and

a solo shot by Tyler Flowers in the seventh. By the time Scioscia took the ball from Bridwell, the rookie had

allowed six hits, three runs, walked a batter and struck out four in six innings.

May 31, 2017 Page 14 of 43

The Angels acquired Bridwell from Baltimore on April 17. When he started four days later for Double-A

Mobile, it was his first starting assignment in nearly a year. Pitching every fifth day suited him; Bridwell

allowed two runs in three starts for Mobile, two runs in three starts for Triple-A Salt Lake, and had a 0.92

earned-run average when he was summoned for Tuesday’s spot start in Anaheim.

The last Angels pitcher to throw at least six innings in his first career start was Sean O’Sullivan on June 16,

2009.

Pujols and Eric Young Jr. each had two of the Angels’ 10 hits — seven of which came against Colon. The

2⅓-inning start was the shortest this season for Colon, who won the 2005 American League Cy Young

award winner in his previous life as an Angel.

Indeed, he had seen it all before.

Colon had endured an inning as embarrassing as he did Tuesday; he was pitching for the Chicago White

Sox on May 21, 2009 when he allowed seven unearned runs in an inning against the Minnesota Twins.

Colon had allowed a more historic home run; he was pitching for the White Sox on June 12, 2003 when

Barry Bonds hit his 631st career home run against Colon.

And Colon was familiar with the long reach of Pujols’ powerful arms; he was pitching for the Angels on

June 8, 2007 when Pujols homered against him for the first time ever.

On Tuesday, Bridwell said he had lunch with his father, who pointed out that Bridwell was 5 years old

when Colon made his major league debut in 1997. The two men took the same field Tuesday with the

same goal, but their fortunes couldn’t have diverged more diametrically.

“It’s something I’d dreamed of for 25 years, to pitch in the big leagues,” Bridwell said. “To get a win kind of

tops it.”

Miller: Appreciating Pujols and the historic moment of 600 HRs

By Jeff Miller

ANAHEIM — He was 24, basically a stranger and had spent most of the previous season playing against

minor league teams nicknamed the Blaze, Nuts and Rawhide.

Kole Calhoun walked into the visiting clubhouse in Oakland, having been called up by the Angels for the

first time, to discover he’d be sharing personal space with Albert Pujols.

“I remember being just scared out of my mind,” Calhoun says now, laughing. “Here’s one of the best

players in the world, you know? And me? It was just unreal.”

While their lockers were separated by one that was left empty, the distance between Calhoun and Pujols

that day was much wider than the room a ballplayer needs to dress.

They were in the same clubhouse, yes, just in different worlds.

May 31, 2017 Page 15 of 43

“I wasn’t approaching anybody,” Calhoun says. “I didn’t want to step on any toes. I didn’t want to offend

anybody. When he approached me, I was ecstatic.”

Five years later, all that distance has vanished, Calhoun now the Angels’ everyday right fielder and Pujols

still the team’s everyday living, breathing, trotting Hall of Fame plaque.

One more trot around the bases and Pujols will become just the ninth player to hit 600 career homers.

“Six-hundred home runs?” Calhoun says. “I don’t think I’ve played 600 games yet. It’s absurd.”

Even still, it’s happening. Any day now.

In the third inning Tuesday, Pujols reached 599 career homers, the total on prominent display on a board

in right-center field at Angel Stadium, not far from the park’s famous rock formation.

As phony as those boulders are, the pile Pujols has accumulated is very real, both stadium

fixtures impressively man-made.

“I don’t even want to look at that number because I know I can’t do it,” Angels shortstop Andrelton

Simmons says. “It takes a special talent to get to the numbers Albert keeps getting to.”

Pujols reaching 600 is a foregone conclusion, making this moment less delightfully jolting than something

like a perfect game.

He also will be the sixth player of his era to arrive at the milestone, the general impact of home runs

having undeniably eroded.

Pujols no doubt will be warmly embraced by Angels fans — though not dearly — the team’s recent lack of

success preventing this bond from growing deeper.

All of this has muted the buzz surrounding Pujols’ drive for 600, and that was before the Angels lost Mike

Trout, dampening even more the mood around a team trying to scramble its way back to .500.

Any national focus on Pujols also goes fuzzy because of the market in which he plays, someone at ESPN

joked Tuesday that it will take a month before people elsewhere realize Trout isn’t playing.

None of which, to be sure, makes the accomplishment of 600 home runs any less historic, any less worthy

of our attention.

Pujols might be more famously a Cardinal. But, today, he couldn’t be any more definitively an Angel.

“Albert basically does what everybody strives to do and he does it every single year,” Calhoun says. “It’s

unheard of. It’s fun to watch.”

There’s also this little item, which isn’t little at all: Unlike Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez and Sammy Sosa,

Pujols will achieve 600 home runs free of the stink of PED use.

May 31, 2017 Page 16 of 43

For that alone, he should be given an escort around the bases on the shoulders of baseball’s hallowed

past.

“Six-hundred home runs … I wish I could do that,” Angels outfielder Ben Revere says. “But, like they say,

you gotta stay in your lane.”

In parts of eight big league seasons, Revere has seven homers, the same total Pujols hit in one nine-game

stretch in 2009, the last of his three MVP seasons with the Cardinals.

While it is true that everything historic he does these days can be a thorny reminder of the utter greatness

he produced in St. Louis, Pujols still hasn’t exactly tanked here.

Do you know how many American Leaguers have more RBI since the start of last season than Pujols? Zero.

“Wow, I had no idea,” Simmons says. “And that’s him not at his best, not feeling his healthiest. Imagine if

he was feeling great.”

Sometimes, including right now, you don’t have to imagine to appreciate Pujols and the depth of his

accomplishments:

On Tuesday, the visiting Atlanta Braves started a lineup with 29 fewer career home runs than the Angels’

designated hitter.

Though he can’t relate to Pujols’ power, Revere can relate to the power of 600 homers. He was with

Minnesota in 2011 when Jim Thome reached that number as a member of the Twins.

“It was definitely fascinating, one of the best baseball memories for me,” Revere says. “It was the

experience of a lifetime.”

And Revere’s about to experience it again, Albert Pujols chasing down numbers worthy of two lifetimes.

Angels Notes: Injury likely to jeopardize Mike Trout’s run of All-Star appearances

By J.P. Hoornstra

ANAHEIM — The initial American League All-Star voting results will be announced Wednesday. Mike Trout

is having surgery the same day, and the voting public has barely had time to react to news of his left thumb

injury.

Trout is expected to miss the next 6-8 weeks while he recovers. Even a six-week timeframe would rule out

Trout from appearing in the All-Star Game on July 9 in Miami. Trout has appeared in the past five All-Star

Games, started the past four and was twice named MVP.

It’s possible that Trout will be elected to start the game anyway. When he was injured Sunday, Trout led

the American League in on-base percentage, slugging percentage, extra-base hits and both versions of

Wins Above Replacement. He remains among the AL’s top five in batting average, home runs and RBI.

May 31, 2017 Page 17 of 43

Major League Baseball’s rules for choosing replacement All-Star don’t require that injured players be

replaced by teammates. If he’s elected by fans, Trout might be the Angels’ only representative in Miami.

If not Trout, then who should be the Angels’ All-Star?

“We’ve got a lot of guys,” Manager Mike Scioscia said — a sentiment echoed by others in the clubhouse.

An informal survey of pitchers, hitters and coaches in the Angels’ clubhouse produced the same handful of

names. Shortstop Andrelton Simmons garnered the most mentions, followed by catcher Martin

Maldonado and designated hitter Albert Pujols. J.C. Ramirez, Yusmeiro Petit and Bud Norris were the only

pitchers mentioned.

Scioscia made the case for Maldonado, who entered play Tuesday batting .266 with four home runs and 14

RBI.

“One guy I think is out-catching everybody in baseball that we’ve seen is Martin Maldonado,” Scioscia said.

“He’s having a terrific run. He’s been a big reason why you’ve seen a pitching staff that everyone says is

doing a great job — which we feel they are. You’re seeing them achieve, I think, with his input too being a

big part of that.”

LONG WAIT ENDS FOR YOUNG

Eric Young Jr.’s single for the Angels in the seventh inning on Monday was his first since a single for the

Atlanta Braves on May 15, 2015, a span of 745 days between major league hits.

Counting the Angels, Young has played for four organizations in the meantime. The 32-year-old outfielder

spent more time between Triple-A and the Mexican Pacific Winter League than in the majors.

“I’m just happy to be out there, thankful I get to play this game,” Young said. “With the year I’ve had off

the field this year, I don’t take anything for granted on the field. Enjoy every moment. Whether it’s

something good or something bad I enjoy every moment because you never know. Circumstances might

cause you to not be out there.”

Young’s son, Eric Young III, was delivered 11 weeks before his due date in January and died the next day.

Maybe a renewed outlook has helped the elder Young on the field. He was batting .354 (63 for 178) with

10 doubles, three triples, five home runs and 15 stolen bases for Triple-A Salt Lake when he was recalled to

take Trout’s roster spot Monday.

Young, who debuted in 2009 with the Colorado Rockies, can play all three outfield positions.

“He just plays the game with passion, brings energy, you saw him run the bases — he was aggressive,”

Scioscia said. “He just did a great job at Triple-A and hopefully brings some energy to our lineup.”

May 31, 2017 Page 18 of 43

MAYBIN AILING

Cameron Maybin reported tightness in his side Tuesday, one day after he made a tumbling catch in the

left-center field gap to rob Nick Markakis of a base hit. Maybin was not in the Angels’ lineup against the

Atlanta Braves.

“Hopefully it’s just a day-to-day thing,” Scioscia said of Maybin, who started 25 of of the Angels’ first 27

games in May.

Young started in center field for the Angels, and Ben Revere in left, against the Braves on Tuesday.

ESCOBAR NEARING RETURN

Yunel Escobar will play a rehabilitation game for Class-A Inland Empire on Wednesday and could return to

the Angels as early as Thursday.

Escobar didn’t run the bases Tuesday, but Scioscia said the third baseman repeated every other aspect of

his Monday workout. He’s been on the disabled list since May 15 with a strained left hamstring.

Escobar, 34, has a generally excellent track record of staying healthy. He’s made three minor league rehab

appearances this decade while playing 1,012 major league games.

ALSO

Alex Meyer will be activated from the disabled list and start against the Twins on Thursday. The right-

hander went on the 10-day DL on May 21 with back spasms and threw a bullpen session Monday. … The

Angels optioned infielder Nolan Fontana to Triple-A Salt Lake to make room for pitcher Parker Bridwell on

the 25-man roster. “When (Fontana) comes back up here again, I think he’ll be more comfortable,”

Scioscia said. “I thought he presented himself well, looked good in the field, hit some balls hard.” …

Fontana had one hit in 18 at-bats (a .056 average) and did not commit an error in 19 chances at second

base. … The Angels had nine active relievers and only three players on their bench Tuesday. … Huston

Street will continue his rehab with a multi-inning relief appearance for Inland Empire either Thursday or

Friday. His next step after that is to be determined, but Scioscia said the right-hander could be activated as

early as this weekend.

May 31, 2017 Page 19 of 43

FROM ANGELS.COM

Close races abound in AL All-Star voting

By Doug Miller / MLB.com

The All-Stars are beginning to be aligned.

On Tuesday, fans were treated to the first Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot updates for the National

League for the 88th All-Star Game presented by MasterCard, set for Marlins Park in Miami on July 11.

And on Wednesday, the opening American League voting totals were revealed.

In an unfortunate twist of timing, the leading vote-getter, Angels all-everything center fielder Mike

Trout, just went on the disabled list with a torn left thumb ligament. Trout has opted for surgery and the

time frame for his return is beyond All-Star Week.

But there are still plenty of AL luminaries aiming to represent their league in Miami, and the tabulation

has begun. Here are the AL results:

CATCHER

1. Salvador Perez, Royals: 420,268 votes

2. Welington Castillo, Orioles: 339,902

3. Brian McCann, Astros: 296,187

4. Gary Sanchez, Yankees: 267,683

5. Yan Gomes, Indians: 240,688

Perez is the league's standard for defense behind the plate and he's also been the best hitter at his

position in the league, with 11 home runs, 29 RBIs and an .787 OPS entering Wednesday's games.

Castillo has a .317/.339/.467 slash line, and McCann is enjoying his new home in Houston with six

homers and a .360 on-base percentage.

Last year's rookie sensation, the Yankees' Sanchez, missed a month due to a strained right biceps but

has four homers in 95 at-bats and is getting hot with the weather. Gomes has four homers and is a solid

presence behind the plate for Cleveland.

FIRST BASE

1. Miguel Cabrera, Tigers: 326,952

2. Yonder Alonso, A's: 287,975

3. Carlos Santana, Indians: 270,816

4. Eric Hosmer, Royals: 225,989

5. Yuli Gurriel, Astros: 182,945

A .780 OPS with five homers and 22 RBIs isn't very Cabrera-like, but reputation goes a long way toward

All-Star Game selection, and fans are clearly expecting Miggy to be Miggy again very soon. Alonso,

meanwhile, is one of the true breakout stars of early 2017, with a 1.052 OPS, 14 homers and 31 RBIs.

May 31, 2017 Page 20 of 43

Santana ranks tied for fifth among AL first basemen with 30 RBIs, Hosmer has posted a .299/.357/.438

slash line, and Gurriel has contributed to a formidable Astros attack with four homers in his first full

Major League season.

SECOND BASE

1. Starlin Castro, Yankees: 516,268

2. Jose Altuve, Astros: 515,732

3. Jason Kipnis, Indians: 253,409

4. Robinson Cano, Mariners: 159,557

5. Jonathan Schoop, Orioles: 149,060

Yankees fans are turning up at the online polls in droves for Castro, who is hitting .322/.358/.477 with

seven homers and 28 RBIs, building on a terrific 2016. Altuve is Altuve, with a .320/.383/.510 line, and

Kipnis has come back from injury well, with six homers and 20 RBIs.

Cano is leading all AL second basemen with 10 homers and 34 RBIs and has an OPS of .877, while Schoop

is as solid as ever with an OPS of .801 plus seven homers and 24 RBIs.

THIRD BASE

1. Manny Machado, Orioles: 369,069

2. Miguel Sano, Twins: 363,607

3. Jose Ramirez, Indians: 351,814

4. Josh Donaldson, Blue Jays: 221,350

5. Chase Headley, Yankees: 174,702

Machado hasn't gotten hot yet, but he does have 10 homers with 25 RBIs and the dynamic skillset that

has voters believing he'll steam into July on a torrid streak. Sano, meanwhile, is becoming a star, with 12

homers, a .996 OPS and 39 RBIs, the most in the AL among those who play the hot corner.

Ramirez has an OPS of .860, Donaldson is a former AL Most Valuable Player who is just getting back on

the field after missing more than a month with a lingering right calf strain, and Headley is getting lots of

votes from Yankees fans who appreciate his presence in the lineup and at third base for a first-place

club.

SHORTSTOP

1. Francisco Lindor, Indians: 602,238

2. Carlos Correa, Astros: 253,518

3. Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox: 252,379

4. Didi Gregorius, Yankees: 239,170

5. Jean Segura, Mariners: 169,487

Lindor finished second to his countryman Correa in AL Rookie of the Year voting two seasons ago, but

he's well ahead of his fellow Puerto Rican star in this vote. Lindor leads AL shortstops with 11 homers

May 31, 2017 Page 21 of 43

and has a .276/.347/.531 slash line. Correa has rebounded from a slow start and is among the AL leaders

at shortstop in batting average (.309) and leads in OPS (.895).

Bogaerts is batting .339 for the Red Sox, and Segura's batting average of .345 is tops in the AL among

shortstops.

DESIGNATED HITTER

1. Nelson Cruz, Mariners: 457,050

2. Edwin Encarnacion, Indians: 282,837

3. Matt Holliday, Yankees: 276,855

4. Corey Dickerson, Rays: 216,350

5. Albert Pujols, Angels: 154,626

Cruz just keeps getting it done, with a .279/.364/.525 line, 12 homers and a position-best 42 RBIs, which

has him comfortably ahead, at least for now, of second-place Encarnacion, who hasn't quite gotten it

going as compared to years past.

Holliday is doing just fine for the Yankees, with 11 homers and 32 RBIs, and Dickerson has been brilliant

for Tampa Bay, with a 1.006 OPS, 12 homers and 25 RBIs. Pujols sits one career homer from the magical

600 mark.

OUTFIELD

1. Mike Trout, Angels: 776,937

2. Aaron Judge, Yankees: 730,438

3. Mookie Betts, Red Sox: 337,473

4. Michael Brantley, Indians: 333,703

5. Andrew Benintendi, Red Sox: 327,047

6. Avisail Garcia, White Sox: 303,603

7. Adam Jones, Orioles: 236,481

8. Lonnie Chisenhall, Indians: 229,856

9. Abraham Almonte, Indians: 202,999

10. Jose Bautista, Blue Jays: 195,199

11. Brett Gardner, Yankees: 192,288

12. Jacoby Ellsbury, Yankees: 179,600

13. Carlos Beltran, Astros: 175,700

14. George Springer, Astros: 162,087

15. Kevin Pillar, Blue Jays: 160,484

It's amazing to consider that prior to his injury, Trout was having the best year of his career, with a 1.203

OPS, 16 homers and 36 RBIs plus 10 stolen bases. Judge has been a phenom in the Bronx, with 17

homers, many of which have been tape-measure moonshots, but also a 1.112 OPS. And Betts has been

his stellar self, with nine homers, 32 RBIs and an .849 OPS.

May 31, 2017 Page 22 of 43

Brantley has rebounded from the injuries that derailed his 2016 season and is batting .307 while driving

in 22 runs. And Benintendi, who's among the candidates for AL Rookie of the Year honors, has 27 RBIs

and seven stolen bases while batting .272.

Fans may cast votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- on computers, tablets and

smartphones -- exclusively online using the 2017 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot until Thursday, June

29, at 11:59 p.m. ET. On smartphones and tablets, fans can also access the ballot via the MLB.com At Bat

and MLB.com Ballpark mobile apps. Vote up to five times in any 24-hour period for a maximum of 35

ballots cast.

Following the announcement of the 2017 All-Star starters, reserves and pitchers, fans should return to

MLB.com and cast their 2017 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote for the final player on each

league's All-Star roster. Then on Tuesday, July 11, while watching the 2017 All-Star Game presented by

MasterCard live on FOX, fans may visit MLB.com to submit their choices for the Ted Williams Most

Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet with the 2017 MLB All-Star Game MVP Vote.

The 88th Midsummer Classic, at Marlins Park in Miami, will be televised nationally by FOX Sports; in

Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS; and worldwide by partners in more than 160 countries. ESPN

Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide exclusive national radio coverage, while MLB Network,

MLB.com and SiriusXM will have comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information about

MLB All-Star Week and to purchase tickets, please visit AllStarGame.com and follow @AllStarGame on

social media.

Pujols' 599th fuels huge frame to sink Braves

By Maria Guardado and Kaelen Joenes / MLB.com

ANAHEIM -- Parker Bridwell fired six solid innings and the Angels capitalized on the Braves' sloppy infield

defense in a wild nine-run third, giving the Halos a 9-3 victory on Tuesday night and evening their

Interleague series at Angel Stadium. Albert Pujols ignited the huge inning with his 599th career homer, a

three-run shot off Bartolo Colon that gave the Angels a 3-2 lead.

Bridwell, who was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday to make a spot start in place of the

injured Alex Meyer, allowed three runs on six hits while walking one and striking out four to earn the

win in his first career Major League start. He experienced only two blips in his Angels debut,

surrendering a two-run homer run toMatt Kemp in the third and a solo shot to Tyler Flowers in the

seventh.

"I don't know if it's hit me yet, honestly," Bridwell said. "It's something I've dreamed of for 25 years, to

pitch in the big leagues, and to get a win just kind of tops it. I'm thankful for the offense that I had

tonight and the run support. I can't say enough about the team and a great W."

Bridwell fell into some trouble in the first after yielding three consecutive one-out singles to the Braves,

though he emerged from the inning unscathed after right fielder Kole Calhoun saved a run by throwing

out Nick Markakis at home.

May 31, 2017 Page 23 of 43

The 44-year-old Colon wasn't sure how to describe his club's unwinding.

"To be honest, I just felt like that third inning was just a weird inning for all of us," he said through an

interpreter. "I wouldn't even be able to tell you how to explain it."

Pujols' homer left him one shy of 600, and he got his first chance to reach the exclusive milestone later

in that inning, but he drew a walk off reliever Luke Jackson. The 37-year-old slugger then flied out in the

fifth and struck out in the eighth, keeping his historic pursuit alive for at least one more night.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

Pujols launches No. 599: The Angels erased a two-run deficit and seized the lead after Pujols pummeled

a 3-2 fastball from Colon to left field for a go-ahead, three-run homer. An error by Atlanta second

baseman Jace Peterson helped set up the homer. With a runner on first and one out, Calhoun hit a

potential double-play ball to second that could have ended the inning, but Peterson botched the

transfer, allowing Calhoun to reach first. Pujols followed with his eighth homer of the season, a 410-foot

shot that flew off the bat at 106 mph, according to Statcast™. With one more homer, the slugger will

become the ninth player in Major League history to join the 600-homer club. More >

"Numbers are numbers, but my main goal is to try to win a championship and to try to do whatever I

can to help this ballclub day in and day out," Pujols said.

Braves' shaky defense: Peterson's error proved to be the first of many defensive gaffes in Atlanta's

disastrous third, cracking the door open for the Angels, who tacked on six more runs. Luis

Valbuena followed Pujols' homer with a single, and Andrelton Simmons reached on an error by

shortstop Dansby Swanson. Ben Revere then chopped a grounder to first baseman Matt Adams, who

fielded the ball but didn't throw it, allowing a run to score and Revere to reach on a fielder's choice.

Colon induced a comebacker from Cliff Pennington, but he slipped on the mound while making the play

and could not throw home in time to get Simmons. That brought up Danny Espinosa, who lined an RBI

single to center field to extend the Halos' lead to 6-2. Juan Graterol, who led off the inning with a single,

tapped another comebacker to Colon in his second plate appearance, but the veteran pitcher made an

errant throw to second while trying to get the forceout, allowing Pennington to score. Eric Young Jr. and

Calhoun capped the outburst with back-to-back RBI hits before Jackson finally ended the inning by

coaxing a double play from Valbuena. All nine Halos batters scored in the third. More >

"I think we pressured them a little bit," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "We had some guys in

motion, put the ball in play. A lot of the miscues in that inning led to runs, which obviously got the

momentum on our side."

QUOTABLE

"We were eating lunch today and my dad told me that I was five when he made his debut. So that's kind

of weird to me, but he's a guy that's always been good, and I idolize him for having such a long and good

career." -- Bridwell on facing Colon

May 31, 2017 Page 24 of 43

"We don't turn the double play, don't make a couple other plays, and shoot ourselves in the foot, and it

just kind of kept kind of snowballing. There were things you couldn't even think about happening [that]

happened." -- Braves manager Brian Snitker on his team's poor defensive performance in the third

inning

WHAT'S NEXT

Braves: Jaime Garcia (2-3, 3.58 ERA) takes the mound for Atlanta looking to follow up his masterful

outing against San Francisco. He won in his lone career start against the Angels, when he allowed two

runs (none earned) on four hits and a walk while striking out eight batters in seven innings on May 11,

2016, as a member of the Cardinals. First pitch is scheduled for 10:07 p.m. ET.

Angels: Right-hander Jesse Chavez (4-6, 5.09 ERA) will start Wednesday's series finale against the Braves

at 7:07 p.m. PT at Angel Stadium. Chavez has faced Atlanta four times in relief, tossing 5 2/3 scoreless

innings.

Say halo to 599! Pujols on power trip

Angels slugger also ties Babe Ruth at 44th on all-time hit list

By Maria Guardado / MLB.com

ANAHEIM -- Angels slugger Albert Pujols inched closer to joining one of Major League Baseball's most

exclusive clubs after hitting the 599th home run of his career in Tuesday night's 9-3 Halos victory over

the Braves at Angel Stadium.

Pujols hammered a three-run shot off Bartolo Colon to erase a two-run deficit and put the Halos in

front, 3-2, in the third. After Eric Young Jr. and Kole Calhounreached on a fielder's choice and an error,

respectively, Pujols pounced on a 3-2 fastball from Colon, depositing it 410 feet over the left-field fence

for his eighth homer of the season.

"I kind of missed on that one, and it kind of got away from me, to be honest," Colon said through an

interpreter. "It got away from me right where he likes it, in the sweet spot, middle-in. I was going for the

outside corner, and it got away from me. In the big leagues, you just can't throw a pitch out there;

they'll make you pay every time."

Pujols' blast helped spark a nine-run inning for the Angels, who sent 14 men to the plate in a wild frame

that featured six hits, a walk and three errors by the Braves. The 37-year-old veteran is now just one shy

of becoming the ninth player in Major League history to reach 600.

May 31, 2017 Page 25 of 43

600-HOMER CLUB

Player HRs

1. Barry Bonds 762

2. Hank Aaron 755

3. Babe Ruth 714

4. Alex Rodriguez 696

5. Willie Mays 660

6. Ken Griffey Jr. 630

7. Jim Thome 612

8. Sammy Sosa 609

Eight players in MLB history have reached 600

HRs.

Atlanta's woeful defense allowed Pujols to bat for a second time in the third, but he drew a walk in his

first official shot at the milestone. Pujols received two more at-bats on Tuesday, but he flied out in the

fifth and struck out in the eighth to keep his pursuit of 600 alive.

While Pujols is aware that he's closing in on a historic feat, he said chasing numbers is not his main

priority.

"When I play the game during the season, it's hard for me to focus on what's in front of me," Pujols said.

"I'm aware of the history, don't get me wrong, I respect that, but I think that's the kind of distraction

that I don't want to bring into the game for me.

"Numbers are numbers, but my main goal is to try to win a championship and to try to do whatever I

can to help this ballclub day in and day out."

May 31, 2017 Page 26 of 43

Pujols will have to wait at least one more night to continue his trek to 600, but he did climb up the

leaderboard in another notable category. With his homer off Colon, Pujols collected his 2,873rd career

hit, tying him with Babe Ruth for 44th all-time.

"That's really pretty cool," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "To be able to witness that, we're all

having a kick out of that."

Chavez looks to stay on roll at home

By Kaelen Jones / MLB.com

The Angels will give the ball to right-hander Jesse Chavez to start Wednesday's series finale against

Atlanta. The Braves will counter with lefty Jaime Garcia.

Chavez, 33, is making his 11th start of the season. He is 3-2 with a 4.75 ERA through six home games

(five starts) and 1-4 in five road starts. He took a loss in his most recent road outing against Miami, and

was chased after a season-low 3 2/3 innings, during which he allowed five earned runs on eight hits and

two walks, while striking out two batters. Chavez has allowed three or fewer runs in each of his last four

home starts.

Garcia seeks to build on the success he found during his latest start at San Francisco. The 30-year-old

tossed 6 2/3 innings, holding the Giants scoreless with four hits, two walks and five strikeouts en route

to his second win of the year.

Seven of Garcia's nine starts have come on the road this season. He is 2-2 with a 4.17 ERA, and has

relinquished 20 runs (19 earned) on 34 hits through 41 total innings pitched in away contests.

Things to know

• Garcia shut down the Giants in his previous start thanks to his two- and four-seam fastball, which he

threw 71 percent of the time. San Francisco batted 1-for-14 and averaged an exit velocity of 83.1 mph

against those pitches.

• The Angels have struggled against fastballs in 2017. Entering Tuesday, the club was slugging a

combined .428 against two- and four-seam fastballs, which ranked seventh-worst in the league.

• Atlanta expects second baseman Brandon Phillips (right knee contusion) to play Wednesday after not

playing Monday's contest and not starting in Tuesday's. Meanwhile, the Angels will be without reigning

American League MVP Mike Trout, who is expected to miss at least five weeks after electing to have

surgery on a torn UCL in his left thumb.

May 31, 2017 Page 27 of 43

Maybin feels tightness in side after great catch

By Maria Guardado / MLB.com

ANAHEIM -- One day after learning that Mike Trout will miss six to eight weeks with a UCL tear in his left

thumb, the Angels were without yet another outfielder.

Cameron Maybin did not start the Angels' game against the Braves on Tuesday after experiencing

tightness in his side, manager Mike Scioscia said.

Maybin sustained the injury while making a running catch to rob Nick Markakis of a hit in the third

inning of the Halos' 6-3 loss on Monday. Maybin chased down a fly ball in the left-center field gap and

then tumbled to the ground after making the play.

"Cam was a little tight in his side after he got here from the dive in left field," Scioscia said. "We'll see

how it sets up, but hopefully it's just a day-to-day thing."

Scioscia said there are no current plans for Maybin to undergo further medical examination.

Maybin, 30, is batting .242 with a .736 OPS, three home runs, 12 RBIs and 13 stolen bases this season

and had recently emerged as a key offensive catalyst in the leadoff spot. With Trout injured, Maybin is

expected to take over the primary duties in center field, though Eric Young Jr. received the start there

Tuesday.

Young, who was called up from Triple-A Salt Lake after Trout was placed on the disabled list, played left

on Monday and went 1-for-4 with two stolen bases.

"He brings some energy," Scioscia said. "I think EY is just a chip off his dad's shoulder. He plays the game

with passion. You saw him run the bases, he's aggressive. He was doing a great job down in Triple-A.

He'll hopefully bring a little energy to our lineup."

Worth noting

• The Angels received some positive injury news, as third baseman Yunel Escobar is slated to play in a

rehab game with Class A Advanced Inland Empire on Wednesday and could "very easily" be activated on

Thursday, Scioscia said. Escobar was batting .266 with a .723 OPS before landing on the disabled list on

May 15 with a left hamstring strain.

• The Angels expect to slide Alex Meyer (back spasms) back into their rotation on Thursday in their

series opener against the Twins, which will give the rest of their starters an extra day of rest. The Halos

acquired Meyer and Ricky Nolasco from Minnesota last summer in exchange for Hector

Santiago and Alan Busenitz.

• Right-hander Huston Street (lat strain) said he believes he will pitch in a rehab game for Inland Empire

on Thursday or Friday and is hoping to join the Angels over the weekend. Street opened the season on

the disabled list and is eligible to be activated Thursday.

May 31, 2017 Page 28 of 43

• Infielder Nolan Fontana was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday to clear a roster spot for right-

hander Parker Bridwell, who started for the Angels against the Braves. Fontana went 1-for-18 with a

homer in seven games with the Halos.

"It's good to get a look at Nolan," Scioscia said. "I think that any player that kind of comes up and sees

the challenge is usually better for it. When he comes back up here again, I think he'll be more

comfortable."

FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Albert Pujols hits 599th HR in Angels' 9-3 win over Braves

Associated Press

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Albert Pujols was only moderately excited when he looked up at the scoreboard and

learned he had tied Babe Ruth's career hits total with his 599th home run.

The slugger always prefers to see less attention focused on his milestones and more on the Angels'

victories -- particularly when a first-time starter plays a major role.

Pujols connected during Los Angeles' nine-run third inning in a 9-3 victory over struggling Bartolo

Colon and the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night.

Pujols moved to the brink of his latest landmark with a three-run homer off Colon (2-6) early in the

Angels' biggest inning of the season. After his first-inning single, Pujols' homer was his 2,873rd career

hit, matching Ruth's total in 30 fewer games.

"I don't play here for numbers," Pujols said. "My goal since Day One when I got to the big leagues was to

help the organization that I wear the uniform of. ... I'm aware of the history, don't get me wrong. I

respect it, but I think that's kind of a distraction that I don't want to bring into the game for me."

The 37-year-old slugger has homered in back-to-back games for the first time this season. He can

become the ninth player in baseball history, and fourth-youngest, to reach 600 homers with his next

shot.

Pujols would rather talk about Parker Bridwell (1-0), who earned his first major league win by pitching

six-hit ball into the seventh inning of a spot start in the Angels' injury-plagued rotation.

"He didn't look like a guy that was making his first start out there in his career," Pujols said. "He was

really comfortable as soon as he took that ball in the first inning and went right after the batters."

Matt Kemp and Tyler Flowers homered for the Braves.

BART'S BAD DAY

May 31, 2017 Page 29 of 43

The 44-year-old Colon committed one of the Braves' three errors in the third, leading to seven unearned

runs. Although he gave up seven hits and got just seven outs in his latest unimpressive outing, Atlanta

seemed to take the loss as a result of group ineptitude.

"I don't know that I've ever witnessed anything like that, and I've been at all the levels," Braves manager

Brian Snitker said. "I don't know. It was a little bit of everything. I don't know, because I didn't count,

how many extra outs we gave them."

RAMSHACKLE RALLY

In their second game after losing Mike Trout to an injured thumb ligament, the Angels still managed

plenty of offense.

All nine batters scored one run apiece in the third-inning rally, which would have ended before it began

if Jace Peterson had completed a double play on Kole Calhoun's one-out grounder. Instead, Pujols'

subsequent homer cleared the bases.

The Angels reached base in 12 consecutive plate appearances during the rally, which included an error

by shortstop Dansby Swanson along with a handful of head-scratching defensive plays that weren't

errors.

"It bothers you, because this is the major leagues," Snitker said. "That shouldn't happen. It's one thing

these guys should be able to do is make plays, and we didn't. And it was a lot of people not making

plays."

PARKER CAN'T LOSE

Bridwell persisted through a bumpy beginning to win in his first appearance for the Angels, who

acquired the right-hander from Baltimore last month. After converting Bridwell into a starter, the Angels

called him up to become the ninth starter and 22nd pitcher to appear for the club in just 55 games.

Bridwell had about 20 friends and family members in the stands, but didn't show the pressure. Waiting

out the Angels' extensive rally didn't bother him, either.

"I just sat in my spot and didn't talk," Bridwell said. "And when (Atlanta) made the pitching change, I just

went down to the (batting) cage and played catch, a couple of throws, and watched the offense put up

runs."

TRAINER'S ROOM

Braves: 2B Brandon Phillips didn't play to get extra rest for his bruised right knee. He isn't expected to

need a stint on the disabled list.

Angels: OF Cameron Maybin sat out after feeling tightness in his side after making a running catch

Monday. ... 3B Yunel Escobar will play a rehab game with Class A Inland Empire on Wednesday, and

could return to the Angels on Thursday. He has missed two weeks with a strained hamstring.

May 31, 2017 Page 30 of 43

UP NEXT

Braves: LHP Jaime Garcia (2-3, 3.58 ERA) has only one win in his last eight starts despite a string of

decent performances. He is making his eighth start on the road, with just two in Atlanta.

Angels: RHP Jesse Chavez (4-6, 5.09) has been solid at home during his up-and-down season. He has

never allowed a run to the Braves in four career appearances.

LEADING OFF: Pujols takes aim at 600; Tanaka tough at night

By Associated Press

A look at what's happening all around the majors today:

SWEET 600

Albert Pujols is one big fly from becoming the ninth member of the 600-homer club. The 37-year-old

slugger hit No. 599 off 44-year-old Atlanta starter Bartolo Colon on Tuesday night. Pujols has homered in

consecutive games for the first time this season. He and the Angels are set to face Braves left-hander

Jaime Garcia.

NIGHT AND DAY

Masahiro Tanaka appears to do his best work at night. The New York Yankees right-hander makes his

11th start of the season in Baltimore, looking to extend an unusual run of success under the lights.

Tanaka is 5-1 with a 2.51 ERA in six night starts and 0-3 with a 17.51 ERA in four day games. He faces

Kevin Gausman (2-4, 6.17) and the Orioles. Opponents are batting .322 with 10 homers in 54 innings

against Gausman.

TORONTO TURNAROUND

The Blue Jays can move within a game of .500 by beating the Reds, a stark improvement following a 6-17

start to the season. Toronto has 47 homers in May, including four while improving to 25-27 with a 6-4

win over Cincinnati on Tuesday night. Jose Bautista has been a driving force in the resurgence, hitting

.320 with nine homers with 21 RBIs following a miserable April. Bautista, Josh Donaldson, Russell Martin

and Kendrys Morales each homered in Tuesday's win.

STIFF COMPETITION

Oakland left-hander Sean Manaea (3-3) gets the ball at AL champion Cleveland, his latest assignment

against one of the league's heavyweights. The second-year pitcher has won two straight starts, beating

the Red Sox and Yankees while posting a 1.50 ERA with 11 strikeouts over 12 innings.

PAX IS BACK

James Paxton is set to come off the disabled list for the Mariners against Colorado. Paxton (3-0, 1.43

ERA) was among baseball's best pitchers in April before landing on the DL with a left forearm strain. He'll

May 31, 2017 Page 31 of 43

face standout rookie Antonio Senzatela (7-1, 3.19), who most recently pitched eight shutout innings in a

win over the Cardinals.

WELCOME ABOARD

The major league-leading Astros (37-16) turn to another substitute starter as they attempt to win their

seventh straight game. David Paulino was called up from the minors to pitch at Minnesota after Houston

put right-hander Joe Musgrove on the disabled list Tuesday with shoulder discomfort. Paulino was at

Triple-A Fresno and is considered one of the team's top prospects. Musgrove, who is 4-4 with a 4.89 ERA

after throwing seven scoreless innings against Baltimore last Friday, could miss just one turn. But for

now, he joins fellow Astros starters Charlie Morton and Collin McHugh on the DL.

DEALING D-BACKS

Diamondbacks right-hander Zack Godley will try to follow a gem by Robbie Ray with another one against

the Pirates. Ray threw a four-hitter for his first complete game Tuesday night, and Godley (1-1, 1.99

ERA) is on a tear of his own. He pitched six scoreless innings in a 4-2 win over Milwaukee last time out

and has churned out four straight quality starts. Pittsburgh right-hander Chad Kuhl (1-5, 6.29) is winless

in nine starts since beating Atlanta on April 8 in his season debut.

FROM ESPN.COM

Real or not? Albert Pujols' chase for 600 isn't exciting, Robbie Ray is All-Star candidate

David Schoenfield / ESPN Senior Writer

Fun factoid about Albert Pujols' first career home run on April 6, 2001, off Armando Reynoso: He played

right field that day.

I love the cycle of baseball. A couple of weeks after that first home run, Pujols homered off John Franco,

who began his career in 1984 as a Cincinnati Reds teammate of player-manager Pete Rose, who

began his career in 1963. Pujols has homered off 386 pitchers, including five Hall of Famers. He has hit

13 grand slams, 15 homers in extra innings, has four three-homer games (plus another in the World

Series) and once did this to Brad Lidge.

He has won three MVP awards (and finished second in the voting four times), hit .300 with 30-plus

homers and 100-plus RBIs the first 10 seasons of his career and has posted an OPS over 1.000 in 77

postseason games. So, why has his chase to 600 career home runs felt like ... well, not such a big deal?

Pujols hit his 599th home run Tuesday, a towering three-run shot down the left-field line off Bartolo

Colon -- No. 3 in his career off Colon -- for his third homer in five games, after hitting just five in his first

42 games. With his next one, he'll become the ninth member of the 600 club, and no matter how you

feel about a few members of that club -- Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Sammy Sosa -- it will be a

monumental achievement for Pujols.

May 31, 2017 Page 32 of 43

Yes, he's a shell of his peak years in St. Louis, when he twice hit above .350, routinely belted 40 home

runs, won Gold Gloves and ran the bases like a much faster man. But he hasn't hit .300 since 2010 and

he has been below replacement level this season. Remarkably, he still has four years remaining on his

contract after this one, although considering the way he hobbles around these days after years of foot

injuries, who knows if he'll actually make it to the end of it.

Still, it seems right to celebrate one of the best players in the history of the game. Given timeline

adjustments and other factors, I'd rate Pujols as the greatest first baseman of all time, better than Lou

Gehrig. In those glorious first 10 seasons, he hit .331/.426/.624 while averaging 41 home runs and 43

doubles. They called him The Machine. By the time the Angels signed him for 2012, he was already in

decline; they just didn't know it yet.

At some point, the Angels will have to make a tough decision on Pujols. Maybe next year, maybe the

year after. Maybe they let him play out the contract. Those won't be fun times or discussions. Maybe,

like Ken Griffey Jr., he'll simply decide to quietly leave in the middle of the season.

So that's why we should appreciate No. 600 when it comes in the next few days. I don't know how many

more joyful moments Pujols will provide.

Robbie Ray might be making the leap: Arizona Diamondbacks left-hander Robbie Ray was an obvious

pick as a breakout candidate for 2017. He's one of the hardest-throwing lefty starters in the game and

averaged 11.3 K's per nine innings last season. It was only a matter of improving his command and

limiting the walks and fastballs down the middle. On Tuesday, he dominated the Pirates with the best

game of his career: a four-hit shutout with 10 strikeouts and no walks, the first complete game of his

career.

Ray has now tossed three straight scoreless starts, with a streak of 24 2/3 scoreless innings. Given his

control issues, pitch efficiency was a problem last year for Ray and he averaged just 5.4 innings per start.

Helped by these past three outings -- 9 IP, 7 IP and 7 2/3 IP -- he's now averaging 6.3 innings per start.

He has 84 strikeouts in 69 innings, batters are hitting .193 off him, and he hasn't walked a batter in his

past two starts. I also love that Torey Lovullo let him finish off this game, even with a slim 3-0 lead. Ray

had a 1-2-3 ninth, including striking out Josh Bell with his 115th and final pitch: a 95 mph fastball and his

10th strikeout on his fastball. Awesome. This is a guy to get excited about, and he's pitching his way into

All-Star consideration.

Hey, the Toronto Blue Jays aren't dead: So, apparently I declared the Blue Jays dead back when they

were 2-11 or 6-17 or some other day. Well, they're not dead! They've gone 19-10 since that terrible start

and are 25-27 after beating the Reds 6-4, with Josh Donaldson showing why the team missed him.

FanGraphs estimated their playoffs odds at 12 percent when they were 6-17. In other words, it was

definitely a premature declaration of death. The odds were back up to 31 percent before Tuesday's win,

including 7 percent to win the division. The surprising thing is they haven't done it with their rotation.

The bullpen has been excellent in this stretch, Jose Bautista -- who also homered Tuesday -- has heated

up, and, surprise of surprises, Justin Smoak has continued to hit.

May 31, 2017 Page 33 of 43

Play of the day: You know things are going well when you double on a pitch that bounces in front of

home plate. No wonder Corey Dickerson leads the AL in batting average and hits.

Quick thoughts ... Seems like Hunter Strickland got off easy with a six-game suspension while Bryce

Harper got four games (pending appeals). As a reliever, Strickland would likely pitch in just two, maybe

three, of six games, and face 10 to 15 batters. Harper will miss about 20 plate appearances if the four

games are held up. Maybe relievers who throw at batters need to get longer suspensions. ... Chris

Sale got a big ovation in his return to Chicago, although he then had his worst outing of the season,

scuffling through 111 pitches in five innings. He got the win, however, as the Red Sox pounded Jose

Quintana (who has given up 15 runs in his past two games). ... Tough three games for the Twins: 15-

inning loss Sunday, that brutal blown lead Monday to the Astros and a 7-2 loss Tuesday. They begin a

10-game road trip after Wednesday's game. Crucial stretch.

FROM CBS SPORTS

These five players could benefit most in the AL MVP race from Mike Trout's injury

Mike Trout will miss up to two months with a thumb injury. Who are the top AL MVP candidates

now?

By Mike Axisa

The Angels and the entire world of baseball were dealt a blow Sunday when Mike Trout, the sport's best

player, suffered a thumb injury sliding into second base. He'll have surgery to repair a ligament and

could miss up to two months. That bites so much. Baseball is better when Mike Trout is doing Mike

Trout things.

The 2017 regular season is still young -- only a handful of teams have played their 50th game already --

though Trout was already starting to separate himself from the rest of the pack in the AL MVP race.

Check out the MLBWAR leaderboard:

1. Mike Trout, Angels: +3.5 WAR

2. Ervin Santana, Twins: +3.0 WAR

3. Mike Leake, Cardinals: +3.0 WAR

4. Aaron Judge, Yankees: +2.9 WAR

5. Corey Dickerson, Rays: +2.7 WAR

6. Chris Sale, Red Sox: +2.7 WAR

7. Zack Cozart, Reds: +2.7 WAR

May 31, 2017 Page 34 of 43

8. Nolan Arenado, Rockies: +2.7 WAR

9. Bryce Harper, Nationals: +2.6 WAR

10. Paul Goldschmidt, Diamondbacks: +2.6 WAR

How you know it's still early in the season: Santana, Leake, and Cozart have been three of the 10 best

players in baseball, by WAR. No disrespect to those guys, they've had phenomenal seasons to date, but

they also have long track records of not being this good. It's fair to wonder how much longer we'll see

them in the top 10.

Trout's surgery, which from what I understand is a fairly straightforward procedure with an extremely

high success rate, will sideline him the next two months and take a bite out of his AL MVP case. I

wouldn't be surprised if Trout finishes in the top 10 in the AL in WAR at the end of the season anyway,

but the combination of missing two months and the Angels being out of the race likely means voters will

look elsewhere for MVP.

WAR is, of course, an imperfect measure. It's a good idea, trying to combine everything a player

contributes into one eamber, but the methodology is a work in progress. Almost all awards voters will

glance at the WAR leaderboard before casting their vote, but will consider a wide range of other factors

before making final decisions. The same will happen this year. So, with that in mind, here are five

players with the most to gain in the MVP race now that Trout is injured.

Mookie Betts was the runner-up to Trout in last year's AL MVP race, and while he's having a very good

season to date, he hasn't been quite as good as he was a year ago. I think it's only a matter of time until

he heats up though. Betts is probably the closest thing to Trout in terms of all-around ability, and

assuming the Red Sox stay in the race all year, Mookie is going to get a ton of MVP support once again.

Astros shortstop Carlos Correa is the best player on baseball's best team, which makes him a lock for a

boatload of MVP votes. It's hard to believe he started the season sort of slowly given where he is right

now. He's been a monster in May thus far:

Yeah, that'll do it. There's no reason to think the Astros will fall out of the race, and no reason to think

Correa will be something less than excellent the rest of the season. He, moreso than any other player,

stands to benefit from Trout's injury in the MVP race. Being the best player on the best team is a great

way to get MVP love.

There has long been a bias against designated hitters in the MVP voting, though Dickerson has played

enough outfield (22 games) that all his time at DH (28 games) shouldn't sabotage his candidacy. That

said, he's going to have to mash all year, and right now he's doing exactly that. Dickerson probably faces

the largest uphill climb among players in this post because the offensive bar is quite high for a DH, and

because the Rays have to get back in the race.

If the season ended today, Judge would do what Corey Seager did last season, meaning win Rookie of

the Year unanimously and finish in the top three of the MVP voting. He's been that good, and he's

May 31, 2017 Page 35 of 43

shown so signs of slowing down either. (Judge hit his 16th home run Sunday and his 17th home run

Monday.) The Yankees are somewhat surprisingly atop the AL East at the moment too. They don't have

to win the division for Judge to get a healthy amount of MVP votes. They just have to stay in the race.

And Judge has to keep playing like he has, of course.

Can you quietly put up a 169 OPS+ with 12 homers in 46 games? I'm pretty sure Twins third

baseman Miguel Sano is evidence you can. He's been a beast for surprisingly competitive Minnesota

club that is currently in first place in the AL Central. Will they stay there all season? Eh, I don't think so

because the Indians are so good, though similar to Judge, Sano only needs the Twins to hang around the

race to get MVP love.

My guess is Sale would get a ton of MVP votes right now as well, though history has shown a clear bias

against pitchers during MVP votes. So many voters still see it as a position player's award, fair or not.

Other pitchers like Santana, Dallas Keuchel, Lance McCullers, and Carlos Carrasco would get some MVP

support as well if the season ended today, which is doesn't, of course.

The Trout injury really stinks, and it does change the AL MVP race landscape somewhat. Only two

position players, Gabby Hartnett in 1935 and Mike Schmidt in 1980, won an MVP while playing in fewer

than 120 games during a non-work stoppage season (Hartnett played 116 games, Schmidt 117). There

are so many great players in the AL right now that I have a hard time thinking Trout will be able to

accomplish that feat this year. Guys like Correa, Judge, Betts, Sano, and Dickerson stand to gain the

most MVP support from Trout's injury.

FROM SPORTING NEWS

Mike Trout's injury likely doesn't change his Hall of Fame chances

By Graham Womack

Collective angst gripped social media Monday, with Mike Trout heading to the disabled list for the first

time in his career with a torn thumb ligament that's expected to sideline him for six to eight weeks after

surgery.

It’s a rough break for a player who until now had been a bulwark of health, averaging 158 games from

2013 through 2016 and collecting two American League MVP awards in this time.

Trout’s injury might take him out of the running this season for a third MVP and send his Angels

tumbling to the bottom of the AL West. They weren’t the deepest team to begin with.

But Trout’s injury is unlikely to cost him much, if anything, in the long-term. Even if it were a serious

injury that could keep him out a year or longer, he wouldn’t have that much to worry about regarding

his Hall of Fame chances.

May 31, 2017 Page 36 of 43

If there’s been a consistent theme through the early part of Trout’s career, it’s how quickly he’s

established himself as a credible Cooperstown candidate. He’ll turn 26 in August and is already better

sabermetrically than numerous Hall of Famers. Heck, if Trout logged single at-bats in 2018, 2019 and

2020 to get the 10 seasons Cooperstown requires, he wouldn’t be a terrible selection.

The only question is how much this injury might change the trajectory of Trout’s career, whether it takes

him out of the running to be the greatest player all-time, which he’s had an outside line on to date.

His legacy, otherwise, appears perfectly safe at this juncture.

Cooperstown chances: 90 percent

Why: We’ll start with Trout’s offensive stats through the early part of his career. According to the Play

Index tool on Baseball-Reference.com, Trout is one of 16 players in baseball history to log at least a 170

OPS+ and 1,000 plate appearances through his age-25 season.

Of these players, 10 are in the Hall of Fame, Shoeless Joe Jackson would be in were he eligible, and Pete

Browning and Ross Barnes have their supporters.

Just two players of the 15 aside from Trout can’t have a reasonable Hall of Fame case made for them: Ed

Swartwood, a star of the old American Association in the 1880s who played just nine seasons; and

Benny Kauff, banned by baseball commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis after Kauff’s acquittal for

taking part in a car theft ring.

It’s telling that the only non-Hall of Famers by this measure, aside from Trout, all last played long ago

when the chasm between baseball’s best and worst players was wider.

In the Live Ball Era, no one’s been this much better than the rest of baseball in their early seasons and

not gone in Cooperstown. It’s rare even for modern players to post 150 OPS+ and 1,000 plate

appearances through age-25 and not later be enshrined (though an interesting article could be written

about Kal Daniels at some point.)

Frankly, OPS+ underrates Trout somewhat. He’s the second-best position player in baseball history

through age-25 for Wins Above Average, with 39.4. Only Mickey Mantle ranks better, at 39.7. If Trout

comes back healthy in two months, he might catch the Commerce Comet. He should stay safely in front

of Ty Cobb, who’s third at 39.2 (Cobb ranks tops for WAR through age-25 with 55.8 and Trout and

Mantle tied at 52.1.).

Admittedly, some of the names of non-Hall of Famers immediately after Trout for their Wins Above

Average rankings through age-25 are interesting:

Alex Rodriguez, second among non-Hall of Famers at 32.2: A similar column to this could have

been written for A-Rod in 2001. Even casual fans know everything that’s happened since,

though it seems unlikely to ultimately cost him a plaque;

May 31, 2017 Page 37 of 43

Albert Pujols, third among non-Hall of Famers at 27.3: Another player who’s faded with time,

though Pujols generally wasn’t on-par with Trout early in his career;

Andruw Jones, fourth among non-Hall of Famers at 25.5: A respectable hitter in the early part of

his career, Jones vaults onto this list due to his sublime, underrated defense. His 170 defensive

runs better than average through his age-25 season are better than any other player through

this age by nearly 50 runs. That said, it would be ludicrous to suggest Jones eclipsed Trout;

Barry Bonds, fifth among non-Hall of Famers at 23.2: This is how Bonds ranked from 1986

through his first National League MVP season in 1990, mostly Barry before he was Barry.

Of those other four players, only Andruw Jones doesn’t look like a surefire Hall of Famer, though he’ll be

eligible this fall and his case could start to intensify over the next few years. The inductions of Bonds and

Rodriguez will anger some traditionalists, but they look inevitable.

Pujols is more or less a sure thing at this point. So is Trout, ridiculous as it might sound for a 25-year-old

on the disabled list.

The question becomes whether Trout can wind up the greatest player in baseball history. It’s seemed

possible, but fairly unlikely through this point. Babe Ruth leads all players with 183.6 WAR and might

have more if he hadn’t mostly pitched his first five seasons.

Trout needs roughly 110 WAR to catch the next-best position player, Bonds. That’s 11 seasons of at least

10 WAR, just shy of 16 seasons averaging 7 WAR. Trout is something special. But catching Bonds seemed

unlikely even before his injury.

2017 MLB All-Star Game voting: Mike Trout leads AL, Aaron Judge close behind

By Marc Lancaster

Baseball's reigning Most Valuable Player and a rookie contender for this year's honors are the top vote-

getters among American League players for the 2017 MLB All-Star Game.

Mike Trout (776,937) and Aaron Judge (730,438) are far and away the favorites of those who have voted

online so far, according to the ballot update released Tuesday. The pair have more than twice as many

votes as the outfielder who would start alongside them in Miami in July, Boston's Mookie Betts

(337,473), and easily outdistance the closest contender regardless of position, Indians shortstop

Francisco Lindor (602,238).

May 31, 2017 Page 38 of 43

May 31, 2017 Page 39 of 43

While Trout is a deserving leader with his eye-popping .337/.461/.742 slash line, the Angels star is

unlikely to be able to play in the July 11 game after undergoing surgery this week to repair a torn thumb

ligament.

Even if the two-time All-Star Game MVP was in Miami, the spotlight would surely shine the brightest on

Judge. The rookie's 17 home runs lead the majors, and a potential Judge vs. Giancarlo Stanton Home

Run Derby duel at Marlins Park would be quite a drawing card.

Other players currently in line to start for the AL with four weeks of voting to go are Royals catcher

Salvador Perez (420,268), Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (326,952), Yankees second baseman

Starlin Castro (516,268), Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (369,069) and Mariners designated

hitter Nelson Cruz (457,050).

FROM FIVETHIRTYEIGHT

Losing Mike Trout For 7 Weeks Is Like Losing A Normal Star For A Full Season

By Neil Paine

Major League Baseball was jolted with bad news Monday when it was announced that all-universe

outfielder Mike Trout — who may go down as baseball’s greatest player ever — will go to the disabled

list for the first time in his career. (The Angels’ slugger is scheduled to undergo surgery Wednesday to

repair the UCL in his left thumb after being injured while sliding hands-first into second base during

a game against the Miami Marlins on Sunday.)

Estimates have Trout missing six to eight weeks, which would put him back on the field by mid- or late

July. Plenty of players have been out for longer stretches, but Trout is so good that the cost to the

Angels of losing him for only a couple of months would be on par with season-ending injuries suffered

by other star players.

Without Trout, things could get ugly for L.A. Even with Trout and his major-league-leading 3.5 wins

above replacement,1 Los Angeles is a game below .500, with a 14 percent chance of making the playoffs.

Losing six to eight weeks of Trout would cost the Angels about 2.2 wins,2 according to the method my

colleague Rob Arthur and I used to estimate the damage (in WAR) of disabled-list trips.

Going back to 2010,3 a 2.2-WAR DL stint would represent one of the most costly injuries suffered by a

team in a season (although not the most costly):

May 31, 2017 Page 40 of 43

PLAYER YEAR TEAM PITCHER?

DL

DAYS

PROJECTED WAR

LOST

1 Adam

Wainwright 2011 Cardinals ✓ 181 4.6

2 Brett Gardner 2012 Yankees

160 3.8

3 A.J. Pollock 2016 Diamondbacks

145 3.7

4 Troy Tulowitzki 2012 Rockies

127 3.6

5 Adam

Wainwright 2015 Cardinals ✓ 157 3.5

6 Josh Johnson 2011 Marlins ✓ 134 3.5

7 Evan Longoria 2012 Rays

98 3.3

8 Yu Darvish 2015 Rangers ✓ 182 3.1

9 Tyson Ross 2016 Padres ✓ 181 3.0

10 Michael

Brantley 2016 Indians

146 2.9

11 Johan Santana 2011 Mets ✓ 181 2.9

12 Grady Sizemore 2010 Indians

139 2.7

13 Michael Pineda 2012 Yankees ✓ 183 2.6

14 Alex Cobb 2015 Rays ✓ 182 2.6

May 31, 2017 Page 41 of 43

PLAYER YEAR TEAM PITCHER?

DL

DAYS

PROJECTED WAR

LOST

15 Clayton

Kershaw 2016 Dodgers ✓ 74 2.6

16 Giancarlo

Stanton 2015 Marlins

99 2.6

17 Ike Davis 2011 Mets

140 2.5

18 Lance Lynn 2016 Cardinals ✓ 183 2.4

19 Kris Medlen 2014 Braves ✓ 182 2.4

20 Joey Votto 2014 Reds

85 2.3

21 Jacoby Ellsbury 2012 Red Sox

90 2.3

22 Mike Trout 2017 Angels

49* 2.2

23 Hyun-Jin Ryu 2015 Dodgers ✓ 182 2.2

24 Chris Carpenter 2012 Cardinals ✓ 171 2.2

25 Patrick Corbin 2014 Diamondbacks ✓ 182 2.1

The most costly DL trips since 2010 (by projected WAR)

Projected WAR determined by Tom Tango’s “WARcel” method, which projects a player’s WAR based on

his previous three seasons and a regression-to-the-mean effect.

* Trout’s DL days are projected to 7 weeks, based on media reports that he’ll be out 6 to 8 weeks.

SOURCES: FANGRAPHS, BASEBALL-REFERENCE.COM, BASEBALL HEAT MAPS

May 31, 2017 Page 42 of 43

Overall, a seven-week absence for Trout would be the 22nd-most-damaging DL trip in our data set.

However, many of the most costly injuries on the list above belonged to pitchers — fragile fireballers

who have a tendency to miss enormous amounts of time after Tommy John surgery and other arm

ailments. Among non-pitchers, Trout’s DL stint would rank 11th-worst.

It’s also telling that the length of Trout’s layoff only projects to be about 40 percent as long as those of

the position players above him. Even when he’s getting injured, Trout manages to remind us how

insanely productive he is.

Sadly, we’ll probably have to wait at least a month and a half before we get to see Trout again on a

major-league field, and that’s not good for anybody except the pitchers who have to face him. But at

least it’ll give someone else a chance to shine as the best player in baseball — a role that Trout’s been

hogging for a long time.

FROM SB NATION

Albert Pujols quietly sits one homer from 600

Wednesday’s Say Hey, Baseball talks about the plight of Albert Pujols, the aftermath of the Harper-

Strickland brawl, and airborne baseballs.

By Mina Dunn

Albert Pujols opened the scoring gates for the Angels Tuesday night, allowing his sprier teammates to

force errors and wreak havoc in a nine-run inning against the Braves. The key to the gates was home run

No. 599. A no-doubter of a bomb put Pujols at the edge of the 600 cliff, looking forward to the company

of greats known for both offensive prowess and indiscreet note-taking. Pujols has been tucked away in

Anaheim’s obscure corner of the MLB universe, where even the game’s best player has difficulty

commanding attention as he shines, but the lack of organic excitement is hard to explain.

Pujols’ three-run jack consolidated the role he fits into now: A pull-power hitter who still likes striking

out less than Johnny Cueto likes passing up selfie opportunities. His swing is still akin to watching a wine

bottle uncork. But, like, a wine bottle you open with an old friend and not one from a hip wine tasting at

Dusty Baker’s vineyard. It’s familiar and majestic, but his telomeres’ betrayal tinge the sight.

I don’t need to tell you that Pujols is still very good. Recent production puts him in the company of

Yeonis Cespedes and Josh Donaldson. The Machine has, however, lost some of his shine, or else the

inevitably of a ninth player touching 600 would create more buzz than it has. As the legend goes, Pujols,

in his 31-year-old season when most players begin their decline, signed a mega-contract with the

Angels. Pujols hit sub-.300 for the first time in 2012 and played 99 games in 2013 because his Achilles

heel is actually an Achilles foot. All of baseball hoped he’d return to his .328/.420/.617 peak even a

handful of seasons post-2011. Sometimes if you just turn A Machine off and put it in rice it works again,

but injury and age don’t respond quite as well.

May 31, 2017 Page 43 of 43

Baseball’s Velveteen Rabbit could hit No. 600 in Detroit next week if his AB/HR serves as any kind of a

predictor. He could even make the 700 club a quartet by 2021 when his contract expires if he stays at his

home run average since 2011. Every time Anaheim plays, an Angel gets closer to earning his 600th home

run swing.

Lay off the low ones, Kit! Unless I guess, if Corey Dickerson is going to hit balls in the dirt for

doubles every time, then he can do whatever he wants.

Punishments were doled out in response to the Great Harper-Strickland Fiasco of 2017. Do the

crime, pay the time, gentlemen.

During the Harper-Strickland fiasco, Harper solidified his place in history, kinda.

As the hashtag goes, Puig your friend. So, of course, the Dodger superstar was behind the

team’s conciliatory gift of candy to their save opportunity-less closer, Kenley Jansen.

In a battle of established vs. emerging, Royals prospect Kyle Skoglund out-dueled Justin

Verlander, and he did it in his first major league start.

The Mariners made the Rockies look stupid in front of all of their friends, scoring 10 runs in stark

contrast to their 20-inning scoreless streak earlier this week.

It’s time for Kyle Schwarber to visit the land down under to sort some things out. The minors are

looking like the only option for the Cubs slugger right now.

Gary Sanchez’s power is playing hide and seek, which is like, pretty rude. Where is it hiding?

The baseballs in Toronto are on their way to some serious frequent flyer miles. Blue Jays homers

(including a monster shot from Josh Donaldson) powered the team to victory.

The air-ball revolution is alive and kicking, according to this Travis Sawchik update. Joey Votto

weighs in.

Here come the big, bad Red Sox. Boston is positioning themselves to make waves in the

American League.

Ah, yes, beanball-brawl philosophy. What if Bryce Harper didn’t charge at Hunter Strickland,

Eddie Matz?