Angels’ Albert Pujols gets a night off to recharge

A .246 average, .318 on-base percentage, .415 slugging mark, eight homers and 31 runs batted in entering June may be decent numbers for a middling major leaguer. Not for Albert Pujols. Not even close.

The Angels first baseman, a three-time National League most valuable player in St. Louis, was not in Friday night’s lineup, the second time in 55 games he hasn’t started. Manager Mike Scioscia wanted to give Pujols, who has been bothered by plantar fasciitis in his left foot and a sore right knee, a night to recharge.

Pujols said his discomfort Friday “was nothing out of the ordinary,” another reminder that playing in pain has become the norm for the 33-year-old slugger.

A weakened lower body has clearly taken a toll on Pujols, whose 2013 production is far below his career slash line of .325/.414/.608 and his 39-homer, 119-RBI averages. But the slugger refuses to blame his injuries.

“This game is hard enough — imagine playing with injuries — it’s no fun,” Pujols said. “But I won’t use that as an excuse. I’m going to suck it up. I have the talent and ability to play the game. I know I can hit. It’s just a matter of finding a comfortable spot.”

Pujols has made some mechanical adjustments to compensate for his injuries. “But I’m not going to blame the knee or the foot,” he said. “I’m going to battle, give you everything I can whether I’m limping or running how I want to run.”

On the plus side, Pujols is hitting .342 with runners in scoring position, he has 22 walks, and, despite his injuries, he ranks second on the team with 30 runs.

“I’m still producing, but for me, it’s a different approach,” Pujols said. “Everybody wants to see me knock the ball out of the park, but there are different ways to help the team win — a stolen base, a walk to start a two-out rally, a good defensive play. I take a lot of pride in that.”

Center of attention

Mike Trout thinks there is a correlation between his April 30 move from left field to center and the beginning of a monthlong surge in which he hit .333 with eight homers and 25 RBIs in 29 games entering Friday. He just has no idea how much.

“When you’re out there playing free and comfortable, I think you play better,” said Trout, who was hitting .252 with two homers and 12 RBIs in 25 games before the switch. “But I don’t know if there’s a difference. I think I just got hot when I moved to center.”

Scioscia confirmed Thursday that Trout, the 2012 American League rookie of the year, will return to left field when the Peter Bourjos, a superb defender who opened the season in center, returns from a left hamstring strain.

The decision has sparked a wave of opposition from fans and media members who have likened it to asking a young Willie Mays or Mickey Mantle to move. But Trout is in acceptance about the switch.

“Whatever’s best for the team, I’ll do,” Trout said. “I definitely feel more comfortable in center. I’ve played it my whole life. It comes naturally to me. It’s tough to get used to left field, but you want to do what’s best for the team.”

mike.digiovanna@latimes.com