Angels give Josh Hamilton day off to ‘recharge’

The Angels held Josh Hamilton out of their starting lineup Monday, the second time in 16 days that they have given the struggling outfielder what Manager Mike Scioscia calls “a recharge day.”

Hamilton is batting .216, the lowest average of any regular in the American League West. The Houston Astros started left-hander Erik Bedard on Monday; Hamilton is batting .169 against left-handers, with no home runs and 24 strikeouts in 59 at-bats.

“This is a half-step back that maybe gets him to take two steps forward,” Scioscia said.

Scioscia said Hamilton would work with hitting coach Jim Eppard on Monday and would be back in the lineup Tuesday. The Angels face right-handed pitchers Tuesday and Wednesday.

Scioscia said he might consider benching Hamilton for several days at some future time, but not yet.

“I don’t know if we’re at the point where we’re going to need three or four days off,” Scioscia said.

Hamilton said “everything feels good” physically but declined to say if he thought the day off might get him on track.

“I’m learning not to say anything, unless I say it the way I want to say it,” Hamilton said. “I plead the Fifth.”

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