Staying cautious, Tigers give Hunter day off

SAN DIEGO -- Torii Hunter was among the Tigers at Petco Park to take early batting practice Friday afternoon, but there was enough lingering soreness in his left knee that manager Brad Ausmus opted for precaution and rested him for one day. Thus, Hunter was not in the starting lineup for Friday night's series opener against the Padres.

"If I had to, I would play today," Hunter said.

Hunter was available to pinch-hit, but not to run.

"He actually looked really good in batting practice," Ausmus said, "but just moving in the outfield, Petco Park's pretty big in right field. It's just probably, I think, a smarter move to give him another day. Hopefully, he's ready to go tomorrow."

Hunter bruised his left knee crashing into the short wall down the right-field line at Dodger Stadium Tuesday night. While Petco Park has an expansive right field, even with the fences moved in last year, it has the advantage of ample foul territory down the lines before players risk running into the box seats.