The injury wasn't considered serious. Hunter had swelling but felt he could have played through it and expects to play Thursday. He didn't need X-rays but underwent a vision test and was seen by a doctor.
The ball didn't cut through his skin and he was being treated with ice. Hunter hit a line drive that deflected off the protective "L" screen and came back at him. He turned his head to try to get out of the way but not in time.
"It just hit me in my face - a little headache. I'll take my chances I guess," Hunter said. "I should play tomorrow but it's up to them. I told them I feel good, and if not, I understand."
Notes: Oakland's Joey Devine hasn't allowed an earned run in 20 outings (19 2-3 innings) since coming off the DL on Aug. 2. ... Oakland 2B Eric Patterson left the game in the fifth with a strained right hamstring. ... A's All-Star RHP Justin Duchscherer is scheduled to pitch a short simulated game - 15 to 20 pitches - before Thursday afternoon's series finale as a final test for his strained hip. Duchscherer, who reported no problems from a bullpen session Tuesday, is a candidate to start Saturday against the Seattle Mariners. ... Oakland 2B Mark Ellis will undergo surgery on his right shoulder Friday back home in Arizona. ... Angels 3B Chone Figgins was scheduled to return to Southern California on Thursday to have his tender right elbow re-examined by team orthopedist Dr. Lewis Yocum.
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Since Joe Saunders last faced the Oakland Athletics, he seems to have strengthened his case to be in the Los Angeles Angels' postseason rotation.
He'll look to defeat the Athletics for the third time in four starts this season as the Angels try to avoid a three-game road sweep on Thursday.
Saunders (15-7, 3.65 ERA) is 2-1 with a 4.60 ERA in three outings against Oakland (71-80) this year, but the loss came Aug. 27 when the left-hander was tagged for six runs over a season-low 1 1-3 innings in a 6-5 defeat.
"What affected me was not being able to throw strikes and get ahead of guys," Saunders said. "I've just been struggling lately."
That loss capped a three-start stretch in which Saunders went 0-2 with a 11.57 ERA. Since facing Oakland, he's back to his All-Star form, going 1-0 with a 3.48 ERA in three outings after giving up three runs in seven innings and not factoring in the decision during a 5-3 victory over Seattle on Friday.
The strong series of starts may have solidified Saunders' place in the postseason rotation for the AL West champion Angels, who have five starters with at least 11 wins this year.
Los Angeles (92-59) may be without outfielders Vladimir Guerrero and Juan Rivera for this game. Manager Mike Scioscia expects to have both back in the lineup Friday against Texas, and there's an outside chance Rivera may play Thursday.
