4 years agoLos Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani was not among the club’s starting nine for Wednesday’s contest against Arizona and southpaw Caleb Smith. Manager Joe Maddon will instead utilize Albert Pujols at the designated hitter slot, as Ohtani has scuffled mightily against lefties this year to the tune of a .503 OPS in 47 plate appearances. The 2020 campaign has featured a drastic downturn in production for the former American League Rookie of the Year, as he has become a deep season-long league fantasy commodity only over the final week-plus of the season. His next chance to return to the lineup comes Thursday, although the D-backs are set to throw another left-hander in Alex Young.--Jesse Borek
Source: Fabian Ardaya