Morning Mound Visit: Albert Pujols designated for assignment

Fabian Ardaya | The Athletic $: Albert Pujols was designated for assignment on Thursday, effectively ending his 10-year tenure with the Angels. This was the final year of his contract, and the Angels gave him 29 games to show he had anything left before unceremoniously severing ties. Pujols still wants to play, so he’s not walking away yet, but it’s unclear who has room on the roster for a 41-year-old first baseman with a .269 wOBA. Whether this is the end or not, Pujols is certainly headed for Cooperstown as his career with the Cardinals was some of the best baseball ever played.

Scott Coleman | Talking Chop: Atlanta has signed Tyler Flowers to a minor league deal. The 35-year-old catcher hasn’t been an above average hitter since 2017, but he is an elite framer.

Chet Gutwein | FanGraphs: Strikeout rates are once again on the rise and one of the reasons is that pitchers continue to throw high, hard heat.

Quick Hits

Gleyber Torres scored from first on a groundball to second.

Zack Wheeler threw a complete game shutout against the Brewers.

Andrew Heaney struck out 10 across 6 ²⁄₃ innings which is perhaps a bit disappointing considering he struck out the first six batters he faced.