Dodgers' Albert Pujols Denies Telling Angels He Wanted to Be Everyday Player

As Albert Pujols begins the next chapter of his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, he clarified something about his previous stop.

Pujols denied that he ever told the Los Angeles Angels he wanted to play every day even at 41 years old, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.

That stands in contrast to May 6 comments from Angels president John Carpino in which he said Pujols made it clear he wanted to play first base every day, per Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times.

The future Hall of Famer seems to be ready to embrace whatever role the Dodgers ask of him after joining the defending champions.

"I'm here to do whatever," he said, per Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register. "Pinch hit, first base, whatever they want."

He was available after the Angels designated him for assignment and released him following a situation where there may have been some frustration with the manager.

"By the time the day was over, Pujols was yelling at manager Joe Maddon, telling president John Carpino and GM Perry Minasian that he wasn't going to retire, insisting he did not want to spend the rest of the season on the bench and blasting Maddon's managerial skills," Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported.

However, Maddon denied that was the case, per Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times.

After that split, Pujols will look to help lead the Dodgers to back-to-back championships. It would mark the third World Series title of his career that includes three MVPs, six Silver Sluggers, 10 All-Star selections and two Gold Gloves.

While he is well past his prime and slashing .198/.250/.372 this season, he will hit cleanup for the Dodgers in Monday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.