Hamilton sits Friday nursing sore shoulder

MILWAUKEE -- National League rules and an inability to throw prompted Josh Hamilton's absence from the Angels' lineup for the first time since July 24.

"Still sore," Hamilton said of his left shoulder, which has been tender for the last few days and caused him to spend the entire three-game series against the Rays as a designated hitter.

Hamilton tried to throw prior to the weekend series against the Brewers at Miller Park early Friday afternoon, but wasn't able to do so without pain. He wasn't available to pinch-hit during Friday's 5-0 win, but Angels manager Mike Scioscia was nonetheless hopeful that he could be re-inserted into the lineup on Saturday.

"It's getting better than it was a couple days ago," Scioscia said, "but it's still bothering him a little bit."

Howie Kendrick, out since Aug. 5 with a sprained left knee, took a step forward by running the bases prior to Friday's game, but he won't be activated over the weekend, and there's still no timeline for his return to second base.

"Not quite ready to call it day by day," Scioscia said, "but he's passing some tests."