UNDATED (AP) — Albert Pujols will be in the starting lineup for the St. Louis Cardinals against the Pittsburgh Pirates when he begins his final big league season Thursday.
Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol announced Monday that Pujols will be the designated hitter for his 22nd consecutive opening day start. That matches Hank Aaron and Carl Yastrzemski for second-most behind only Pete Rose, who made 23 straight during his career.
In other news from the majors:
— Mariners’ top prospect Julio Rodríguez will be on the opening day roster following a torrid spring training performance. Entering Monday’s spring training game, Rodríguez was hitting .419 with three home runs, eight RBIs and a 1.310 OPS.
— All major league players, managers, coaches and umpires will wear Jackie Robinson’s No. 42 in Dodger blue for the first time on April 15, the 75th anniversary of his breaking the major league color barrier. Major League Baseball retired Robinson’s number in 1997 and all uniformed personnel have worn 42 on Jackie Robinson Day since 2009.
— Outfielder/first baseman Danny Santana, pitcher Richard Rodríguez and infielder José Rondón have been suspended for 80 games each for a positive test of the performance-enhancing substance Boldenone. It was the first discipline since the major league drug testing program resumed March 11 following a 99-day suspension during the lockout. All three are free agents.
— Two-time National League batting champion Tommy Davis has died at age 83. Davis won batting titles with the 1962 and 1963 Dodgers and helped them win the World Series in 1963 and ‘65. He was the Orioles’ first regular designated hitter and ended his career with a .294 batting average.
