LAS VEGAS -- Albert Pujols will be coming off another knee surgery and heading into his age-39 season, with no guarantee that he'll even perform at replacement level. Shohei Ohtani will be recovering from Tommy John surgery and will be handled with extreme caution, given his importance to the franchise's long-term sustainability.
Brad Ausmus' most difficult task in his first year as the Los Angeles Angels' manager will be managing plate appearances for Pujols and Ohtani at designated hitter.