OAKLAND, Calif. — Angels
outfielder Torii Hunter, who has been on the restricted list since May 14
dealing with a family matter, could return to the team next week after it
returns home from its current road trip.
"There's no doubt he wants to get back to playing baseball because that's
what he's about," manager Mike Scioscia said Wednesday. "But he has
to feel comfortable with his situation first."
Hunter left the club after his 17-year-old son Darius was charged with four
others in an alleged sexual assault case involving an underage girl in Prosper,
Texas. An attorney for Darius Hunter recently said the girl has retracted her
accusation.
At the start of the Angels' road trip last week in San Diego, Scioscia said he
was hopeful Hunter might rejoin the club this week, although he declined to
offer a timetable. The Angels are 4-5 in Hunter's absence.
Scioscia said Hunter, who was in the midst of a 2-for-31 slump and was hitting
.256, has been running and taking swings in a batting cage at home.
"I don't think he would come in and be grossly out of shape from
where he was," Scioscia said. "He might come back and play one game
and we would see where he is and whether there's any residual stiffness."
Hunter's teammates have been supportive during his absence, insisting he
shouldn't rush his return until he feels ready.
"I'm pretty sure he wants to be here, but as a strong Christian guy, his
family comes first before these guys," first baseman Albert Pujols said.
"He needs to take care of his family matters before anything. He's a great
leader and a great guy in the clubhouse, but obviously, he's not here for a
reason."
Asked if he expects Hunter back by Monday or Tuesday when the Angels meet the
New York Yankees at Angel Stadium, Scioscia said, "What day exactly it's
going to be, we're not sure."
