Albert Pujols reaches major league deal with Los Angeles Dodgers

Pujols, in the final year of his 10-year, $240 million contract, was placed on assignment by the Los Angeles Angels, went through the waiver system without being claimed by any team and was officially released Thursday.

Pujols, 41, would apparently enter the roster for a part-time position. Max Muncy has started 32 of the Dodgers’ first 38 games at first base, but also provides the versatility to help at third and second base, which would open up some playing time for Pujols at first base.

The Dodgers came into Saturday’s game with a .663 OPS against left-handed pitchers this season, 136 points lower than the team’s OPS against righties.

Pujols, one of the best right-handed hitters in baseball history, could help with that. Pujols was hitting just .198/.250/.372 in his first 92 plate appearances this season, but his expected .513 slugging percentage suggests he’s also been unlucky.

He is fifth in major league history with 667 home runs and 13th on the all-time list with 3,253 hits. A three-time National League MVP and two-time World Series champion with the St. Louis Cardinals, Pujols has a lifetime average of .298 and an OPS of .921. He is a 10-time All-Star and was the oldest active player in the Major Leagues.

Pujols was on a 43-7 losing streak when he was cut.

He batted .328 with a 1.037 OPS in St. Louis, but hit .256 with a .758 OPS in Anaheim along with 222 home runs.