Angels' Pujols limited to DH duties by sore right foot

A sore right foot isn't enough to keep Albert Pujols out of the lineup for a crucial matchup with the Texas Rangers on Saturday night, but it'll keep him off the field defensively.

The Los Angeles Angels slugger will serve as the designated hitter against the Rangers, making way for C.J. Cron to get the nod at first base.

Cron tripled, doubled, singled, and drove in all five runs to lift the Angels to a 5-2 win over the Rangers in the series opener Friday night.

Pujols has struggled since the All-Star break, hitting .235/.284/.418 with nine home runs and 24 RBIs in 170 at-bats. He says the pain in his foot is significant enough to limit him to DH duties for the remainder of the season.

The Angels enter play 2 1/2 games behind the Rangers for the second and final American League wild-card spot.