David Murphy hopes to benefit from a couple of days off.

After sitting for two games, Murphy was back in left field Saturday. He went 0-for-3 and is now hitless in his last 13 at-bats and three for his last 26.

But Murphy believes the time off could be just what he needed.

"I felt a little worn down before I got those two off days," he said. "I definitely think the last two days can be a good thing. I feel a little bit more rested, and hopefully I'll do the same thing I always do."

Murphy wants to be an everyday player, but he was at his best when he was getting a game or two off a week. But when Nelson Cruz went on the disabled list, Murphy was put in the lineup every day. It took its toll.

As fatigue set it, his hitting suffered.

"That [fatigue] can affect your timing," Murphy said. "It can affect your bat speed. It can affect your mechanics. Everybody's timing is different. I have less margin for error in my timing. If I'm off a little bit, it might affect [my ability] to hit pitches I should hit."

Murphy said his recent play is nothing like the struggles he faced to start the season. He opened the year 0-for-23.