Improved Torii remains out of Tigers' lineup

LOS ANGELES -- While Torii Hunter supposedly felt some improvement in his bruised left knee, he still had swelling that limited his mobility. Thus, he was held out of the starting lineup for Wednesday's series finale at Dodger Stadium.

"There's a little bit of swelling," manager Brad Ausmus said. "The assessment is that it's improved."

Ausmus said before the game that Hunter might be available to pinch-hit, but indicated he'd prefer to give Hunter the night off and pair it up with Thursday's scheduled off-day for two days of rest ahead of Friday night's series opener in San Diego.

"I'd like to keep him off his feet, for the most part," Ausmus said.

Hunter bruised the knee colliding with the short wall down the right-field line Tuesday night, eventually leaving the game once the knee swelled up.

With Hunter out, rookie Tyler Collins started in right field for the first time after two starts in left. Hunter's absence also meant Miguel Cabrera returned to his customary third spot in the batting order, with Victor Martinez returning to cleanup.