Mike Scioscia: Exhausted Mike Trout needed long overdue day off

Angels manager Mike Scioscia said Mike Trout needed a day off. (Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Mike Trout's name was missing from the starting lineup of Wednesday's Angels' home finale. Manager Mike Scioscia explained that an exhausted Trout needed a rest.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Trout has played in 77 of the Angels' 80 home games and his last day off was Aug. 21. His recent slump has included one hit and eight strikeouts in his last 14 at-bats. Wednesday's start on the bench will just be a breather. Scioscia expects Trout to play in the Angels' season-closing series in Texas.

"He's played about 80 games here," Scioscia said. "He's played a lot. It's a day off that is long overdue for him."

"He's out of sync," Scioscia said. "He's been grinding. He just needs to exhale a little bit. In the batter's box, I think he's pressing a little bit."

Despite the short slump -- and the fact that he's unlikely to get to 200 hits, Trout still ranks high in American League statistics. He ranks first in the AL in walks and runs; second in batting average, on-base percentage, extra-base hits and triples; and fourth in hits and slugging percentage.

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Trout remains within reach of setting several statistical milestones against the Rangers. He is a double and a triple shy of becoming the first 10-20-30-40 player in major league history with 10 triples, 20 home runs, 30 stolen bases and 40 doubles.

Earlier this season Trout became the first player in AL history with 25 homers, 30 steals and 100 walks in a season, as well as the first with 30 steals, 70 extra-base hits and 100 walks. He joined Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams and teammate Albert Pujols as the only MLB players to produce 50 home runs, 200 runs and a .320 batting average through their first two full seasons.

Trout cannot file for free agency until after the 2017 season but alluded to it in the Times:

"It's about time to start looking for a house," Trout said. “I'm trying to see what direction my career takes me. Do I want to buy a house out here or some other place?"