MINNEAPOLIS -- Twins center fielder Torii Hunter strained
his neck when he crashed into the padded wall trying to make a
catch, and left Thursday night's loss to the New York Yankees.
The three-time Gold Glove winner sprinted into right-center,
chasing a drive by Jorge Posada in the fifth inning. Hunter
appeared to reach it, but collided violently with the padding and
the ball fell between his legs for a double.
Hunter, who wasn't available to reporters after the game, lay on
his back on the warning track for several minutes before being
helped to his feet and carted off the field. He was listed as
day-to-day.
"I think it basically gets down to like whiplash," manager Ron
Gardenhire said. "Hit the baggie with his face, it kind of threw
it back, so he got it two different ways. He has a very stiff neck,
he's sore. We'll just have to wait and see how it is for
tomorrow."
Hunter entered the game between AL division leaders, which New
York won 13-10, batting .266 with 15 homers and 54 RBIs. He was
0-for-1 with a walk Thursday night.
Left fielder Shannon Stewart said he first thought Hunter just
had the wind knocked out of him.
"It's not like it's the playoffs or anything. But for him to do
that, it shows his character and the heart he has," Stewart said.