Angels' Torii Hunter, Vladimir Guerrero could be out for a month

[Warren2ThaG]

http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2009-07/47991324.jpg

Angels' Torii Hunter, Vladimir Guerrero could be out for a month

"The injuries that sent Torii Hunter and Vladimir Guerrero to the 15-day disabled list Friday could sideline the two outfielders for a month, leaving a huge void in the middle of the lineup.

 

"We're looking at possibly three to four weeks for both players," Manager Mike Scioscia said. "The injuries are significant. They're not little 10-day things. It's going to take a little more time."

 

Hunter's injury -- an adductor strain on his right side -- cost the center fielder a spot on the American League All-Star team. He was replaced for Tuesday's game in St. Louis by Texas' Nelson Cruz, who had the next-highest number of outfield votes from players, coaches and managers.

 

"I really wanted to go to the All-Star game," Hunter said. "All those fans voted for me. I'm from Arkansas, and the Cardinals mean everything to people there. I had friends and family members going. I hate that I won't be there. I may have to stay here for treatment."

 

Guerrero suffered a strained muscle behind his left knee and a lower hamstring strain while fielding a ball in right field against the Rangers on Tuesday.

 

Guerrero's loss won't be as acute as Hunter's. Guerrero, who earlier in the season was on the DL because of a torn chest muscle, has been limited to 46 games and is hitting .290 with four homers and 21 runs batted in. Though he bats cleanup, he had little to do with the Angels' offensive surge in the last month.

 

Hunter will be far more difficult to replace. He is batting .305 with a team-leading 17 homers and 65 RBIs and has made several spectacular defensive plays, one of which eventually sidelined him.

 

Hunter originally injured his groin area crashing into the Dodger Stadium wall to make a catch on May 24. He aggravated the injury slamming into the wall on June 15 in San Francisco while trying to catch a ball in a game the Angels were leading 8-0."

---

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-angels-fyi11-2009jul11,0,12596.story