Pujols out of Angels lineup for Rangers opener Tuesday night

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Stuck in third place and trailing the Orioles by three games with just 16 to play, the Angels were set to face AL West rival Texas in Tuesday's series-opener without Albert Pujols.

The slugger remained back in the Midwest to be with his wife, Deidre, who delivered the couple's fifth child early Sunday morning in a Kansas City-area hospital. The Angels expect Pujols back in time for Wednesday's game.

Kendrys Morales (.279, 20 homers, 67 RBI) was in the lineup playing first base and batting fourth in Pujols' absence. The Rangers were not looking at that as a bargain.

"Morales is in there, they're not missing anything," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "As the year has progressed, [Morales] seems to be starting to go back to where he was.

"Pujols is out, that don't mean nothing. That's still a pretty good lineup. You've gotta pitch to them for nine innings. Torii Hunter looks like he's found the Fountain of Youth."

Angels manager Mike Scioscia agreed.

"I think our lineup is deep," Scioscia said. "Hopefully, on the offensive side, we'll absorb it and do what we need to do."

The manager made it clear that Pujols' absence not only was excused, but endorsed by the club.

"We've gone through stretches of the season when he's played hurt or hasn't been available," Scioscia said. "For a family matter like this, there's no doubt he's where he needs to be."