Angels' Torii Hunter and Vladimir Guerrero get some needed rest

"If the guys need a day off, they're going to get it. Regardless of what some standings might say," said Scioscia, whose team takes a 17-game lead into the season's final month.

Hunter, who banged his head against the center-field wall making spectacular catches Friday and Saturday, said he didn't ask for the day off but admitted it was welcome, especially since it comes paired with today's scheduled off day.

"It's a day of healing," Hunter said. "Normally I don't do that. But I need it."

As for whether Hunter will be ready when the Angels play again Tuesday in Detroit, Scioscia said that would be determined Tuesday.

"We anticipate that he's going to be ready. But we want to make sure he's where he needs to be before he's get back out there," Scioscia said.

Guerrero took consecutive days off early last week and responded with two-hit games his first two nights back.

Cavalry takes a detour

David Eckstein won't be riding to the Angels' rescue. At least not this season.

Although a deal to bring the former World Series hero back to Anaheim from Toronto was close to completion Friday, by early Sunday, Blue Jays General Manager J.P. Ricciardi was telling reporters that he would "probably not" be able to work anything out with the Angels.

Hours later, Eckstein was dealt to the Arizona Diamondbacks for minor league pitcher Chad Beck.

Angels General Manager Tony Reagins was still working on a number of things late Sunday but wasn't optimistic any of them would come to fruition.

If he couldn't consummate a deal by 9 p.m. PDT, the deadline for setting playoff rosters, Reagins said he would go forward with what he has.

"If we can't add a player to our playoff roster, then we'll suck it up," he said.

Walking wounded

The Angels stepped up their pursuit of Eckstein after losing middle infielders Howie Kendrick and Erick Aybar to hamstring strains last week. Scioscia said both players, originally considered doubtful to make the upcoming six-game trip, will accompany the team to Detroit and Chicago, partly at the request of trainer Ned Bergert.