Mike Scioscia believes Angels will hit their way out of slump

Going into Tuesday night, the Angels carried the worst batting average in the major leagues, the fourth-worst on-base percentage, the second-worst slugging percentage and the fewest runs scored.

Their 63 runs through 20 games entering Tuesday were the franchise’s fewest at such a checkpoint since the designated hitter was added to the American League in 1973.

Despite the wretched start, Manager Mike Scioscia continued to say his team’s offense would rebound, and this week’s results have started to affirm those expectations.

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There is a recent track record of teams with early-season scoring struggles turning around. Texas finished April 2015 with the fifth-fewest runs in the majors, and finished the season with the third-most.

Ex-Angels going in different directions

Former Angels shortstop Erick Aybar has been the worst player in the major leagues this season, by wins above replacement. Entering Tuesday, Aybar had been worth -1.1 WAR. No other major leaguer, position player or pitcher, had amassed more than -0.7 WAR.

Oppositely, Matt Joyce and David Freese have hit .320 and .284 with Pittsburgh. Chris Iannetta has hit .222 — with a .352 on-base percentage — for Seattle.

All four opened last season in the Angels’ starting lineup.

Short hops

Bullpen coach Scott Radinsky will not be returning to the Angels in the immediate future, Scioscia said. Radinsky experienced chest pains during a game this month and was sent home for tests and treatment. …Left fielder Daniel Nava, on the disabled list with tendinitis in his left knee, will head to the Angels’ spring-training complex in Arizona when the team travels to Texas on Thursday. Scioscia said it is unlikely he will he return to the Angels on their six-game trip. …Pitchers Garrett Richards, Nick Tropeano and Matt Shoemaker practiced bunting in the batting cage Tuesday. The three are scheduled to start and hit when the Angels visit Milwaukee next week.

Follow Pedro Moura on Twitter: @pedromoura