Astros catcher Martín Maldonado will go back to using his traditional bat for the remainder of the World Series after MLB officials determined he used an illegal bat in Game 1 against the Phillies, according to Sports Illustrated’s Tom Verducci.
According to Verducci, Maldonado found out on Saturday prior to Game 2 that the bat, given to him by the great Albert Pujols, would not be permitted going forward. ESPN’s Buster Olney reported Friday Maldonado contacted the future Hall of Fame slugger about bats in the lead-up to the series and received a half-dozen from Pujols himself prior to Game 1.