ANAHEIM -- Angels first baseman Albert Pujols saw an incredible streak come to an end in the series opener against the Reds on Tuesday, as it marked the first time in nearly 18 years that he batted as low as sixth in the batting order.

Pujols, who hit sixth with right-hander Tyler Mahle on the mound, hadn’t batted in that spot in the order since Aug. 7, 2001, in his rookie season with the Cardinals. It snapped a streak of 2,608 games hitting fifth or higher in the lineup, which was the third longest in Major League history. The only players with longer streaks were Pete Rose (2,994 games) and Hall of Famer Hank Aaron (2,971), according to STATS LLC.

“I was not aware,” Angels manager Brad Ausmus said. “He’s one of the greatest hitters ever. I’m not surprised. I remember when he was playing in St. Louis his first year, he quickly established himself as one of the best hitters in that lineup. So, it doesn’t surprise me at all that he hasn’t hit there.”

Ausmus explained it has more to do with the Angels getting healthy than a knock on Pujols. Justin Upton returned from left turf toe on June 17, Kole Calhoun has fared better after a slow start and All-Star finalist Tommy La Stella has become the club’s regular leadoff hitter. Pujols, coming off a memorable weekend in his return to Busch Stadium, is hitting .237/.309/.448 with 13 homers and 41 RBIs in 64 games this year.

“We have Upton healthy, and we don’t want to put too many righties or lefties in a row,” Ausmus said. “That’s all it is. We have [Shohei] Ohtani back, Upton back. Throw La Stella in there. He’s exceeded what our expectations were by a lot.”

Pujols could actually even move down to seventh in the lineup once shortstop Andrelton Simmons returns. After playing two games with Rookie League Orem last week, Simmons suffered a slight setback with his sprained left ankle and rehabbed at Angel Stadium over the weekend. But he restarted his rehab assignment on Tuesday with Class A Advanced Inland Empire and could return this week.

“I’m not going to set expectations because we brought him back after he played in two games," Ausmus said. "We'll take it one day at a time."

Harvey nearing facing hitters

Right-hander Matt Harvey, on the 10-day injured list with an upper back strain, said he was at the club’s Spring Training complex in Arizona last week and has been throwing bullpen sessions without any issues. He’ll face hitters in live batting practice later this week and will build up from there, including another rehab assignment after suffering a setback in his start with Triple-A Salt Lake on June 8.

Harvey said there’s no timetable for his return yet and that he doesn’t believe he’ll be ready to return before the All-Star break, which begins on July 8.

“Everything's healthy,” Harvey said. “I think it's just a matter of making sure that it doesn't come back, and that when I do come back that I'm efficient. I don't want to come back and not be able to pick back up. I've kind of restarted, I guess you could say. Kind of taking my time with that, working with them and making sure everything's better than it was before. I think that's the biggest thing. I don't want to come back and struggle any more.”

Cozart not improving

Infielder Zack Cozart has been on the injured list since May 27 with left shoulder inflammation and said he hasn’t seen any improvement over the last four weeks. Cozart said he’s received treatment, including a cortisone shot in his shoulder, but it remains tight after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder last June. He said he’ll see Dr. Keith Meister in Texas next week, and is hopeful to find out how to get his range of motion back and reduce the pain.

“I’ve had all the injections you can give, four weeks yesterday that I haven’t swung a bat, and it still hasn’t progressed like I want it to,” Cozart said. “It’s not too promising. Hopefully the doctor gives me better news.”

Cozart said he believes he will return this season, but admitted that he might need to alter his swing mechanics because of the way his shoulder feels. He played with a slightly torn labrum in his shoulder from 2008-2018, but now it feels different after having nine anchors placed into his shoulder.

"It's kind of looking that way," Cozart said of a possible career-altering change. "I’ve been thinking, 'How can I make an adjustment from a mechanical standpoint to where I can still get the right swing off somehow and not tick off my shoulder?'"

Ohtani to throw off mound Wednesday

Shohei Ohtani is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Wednesday, marking the first time he's throwing off a mound since undergoing Tommy John surgery on Oct. 1. Ohtani has been on schedule with his throwing program and is currently throwing four times a week, but he won't pitch for the Angels again until 2020.

Meyer retires

Minor League right-hander Alex Meyer announced his retirement on Tuesday. Meyer hadn’t pitched in the Majors since 2017 because of shoulder issues, and recently suffered yet another setback.

Meyer pitched three years in the Majors with the Twins and Angels, posting a 4.63 ERA with 107 strikeouts in 95 1/3 innings. The last start of his career was an impressive one, allowing one hit over seven scoreless innings against the Nationals on July 19, 2017. The Nationals originally drafted Meyer in the first round of the 2011 Draft.