Hunter Bruises Ribs Crashing Into Fence

SAN FRANCISCO -- Angels center fielder Torii Hunter, an early MVP candidate, was injured Monday night crashing into the center field fence at AT&T Park on an attempted catch.

X-rays of his right rib cage were normal. Hunter suffered a contusion to his ribs. He'll be re-evaluated on Tuesday.

"I'm a little sore," Hunter said. "That's the hardest I've hit the wall in a long time. ... I'll be all right. I'm not going on the DL. I don't think I'll play [Tuesday]. But I'll be back by Friday."

If Hunter is out for any length of time, the Angels would be without their best offensive player. Hunter was hitting .319 with 16 homers and 51 RBI, the latter two both team highs.

The Angels were certainly anxious when they saw Hunter crash into the fence chasing a fly ball by Bengie Molina in the fourth inning of a game the Angels were leading 8-0. Hunter said he immediately thought it might have been wise to ease up in a blowout game, but he couldn't do it.

"I can't let a ball drop," he said.

Angels manager Mike Scioscia also said that Hunter normally knows how to play all-out while still protecting himself, but "there's not much you can do when you hit a wall."

Hunter was in good spirits as he stood in the clubhouse with his torso wrapped and pain-killers filling his body.

"I'm really liking these meds," he said. "Pretty awesome. I think I'm kind of high. I know I'll be sore tomorrow."