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After a hiatus, Pujols is back on defense Thursday night. (USATSI)

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Angels slugger Albert Pujols has served as the designated hitter 12 times this season against only eight at first base. But in the last 10 games, Pujols has been the DH. Until Thursday night.

Pujols is again third in the Angels lineup, but this time he's listed as the first baseman. He has been playing through plantar fasciitis -- a painful foot injury. Pujols told reporters (including Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com) that the pain is his foot is unchanged but that he doesn't think it will affect his defense and he's preparing to play three of the four games in the upcoming series against the Mariners at first.

Though the overwhelming majority of the recognition Pujols has received throughout his career is due to his prolific ability at the plate, he's long been an all-around player, known as a good defender and baserunner. With the injury this season, he's been relegated to strictly being a hitter. Maybe Thursday evening is when things start to change.

Pujols, 33, enters Thursday hitting .267/.385/.413 with two homers, 11 RBI and five doubles in 91 plate appearances.