Torii Hunter Injury: Updates on Tigers OF's Knee and Return

Updates from Saturday, April 12

Bleacher Report's Scott Miller reports Hunter is back in the Tigers lineup:

Updates from Wednesday, April 9

James Schmehl of MLive.com reports on Torii Hunter's status for tonight's game against the Dodgers: 

Original Text

Detroit Tigers outfielder Torii Hunter exited Tuesday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers with a left knee contusion.

News of the injury was reported by the Tigers' official Twitter account:

Hunter, 38, is a veteran presence who is a nine-time Gold Glove winner and a strong hitter to boot. This situation appears to be a minor setback, which has to be a relief for Detroit fans because Hunter is off to an excellent start this year, swatting three home runs already.

His efforts have been part of a historic barrage of dingers, per Chris Iott of MLive.com:

To revert back to the injury, John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press was reminded of former manager Jim Leyland's testimony about Hunter's toughness when he awkwardly collided with Dodger Stadium's right field wall in foul territory:

The Tigers have a solid pitching staff and a strong enough batting lineup to make another push for the World Series in 2014. Detroit has made the ALCS the previous three years, yet failed to emerge with the Commissioner's Trophy on any of those occasions.

A 4-1 start has consisted of plenty of offensive firepower. Although that might not be sustainable, the Tigers have plenty of arms on the mound to reign supreme in the AL Central division. Barring any injury scares such as this one to Hunter, they should remain among the World Series favorites even with first-year skipper Brad Ausmus at the helm.