Pujols Skips Angels Game After Daughter's Birth

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -- Albert Pujols is not in the Los Angeles Angels' starting lineup for Tuesday's series opener against the Texas Rangers.

Pujols is with his wife, Deidre, who delivered the couple's fifth child Sunday in Kansas City.

Pujols played in Kansas City against the Royals after his daughter's birth Sunday, but didn't return to California with the team.

Angels manager Mike Scioscia says the $240 million slugger "is where he has to be."

Still, the Angels could use Pujols' bat during their desperate chase of a playoff berth. Los Angeles began Tuesday three games behind Baltimore for the second AL wild-card slot with 15 games to go.

Pujols is batting .282 with 30 homers and a team-leading 96 RBIs in his first season with the Angels.