Angels’ Torii Hunter out of the lineup after slamming into outfield wall Monday night

Hunter stiff and sore after hitting outfield wall

SAN FRANCISCO — Center fielder Torii Hunter was held out of the Los Angeles Angels’ lineup Tuesday night, a day after he bruised his ribs crashing into the outfield wall.

Hunter said Tuesday he hopes to return for Los Angeles’ interleague series finale against the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday night. He received treatment for the injury and planned to take it easy.

“I’m stiff, big time,” Hunter said, standing in the clubhouse while manager Mike Scioscia gave him a quick rubdown in the injured area. “Just pretty sore. I feel OK, though. I’ll probably be in there tomorrow, hopefully. I’ll be all right.”

Hunter, who turns 34 next month, bruised his right ribcage area on the back side when he hit the wall trying to catch a double by Bengie Molina in the fourth inning of the Angels’ 9-7 victory over the Giants on Monday night. Hunter left the game then underwent X-rays on his right ribcage at the ballpark. Results were normal.

He said it’s one of the hardest times he’s hit the wall during his 13-year major league career.

Scioscia said he will likely keep Hunter out until Friday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, which also would give him the team’s day off Thursday to recover.

“He probably could (play) but we’re going to make sure he’s 100 percent,” Scioscia said. “We’re going to be very happy if he can play on Friday. We’ll see how he is. We’re definitely leaning toward holding him out until Friday.”

Hunter was swarmed by trainers, teammates and Scioscia when he was injured and was down for several minutes before getting up on his own. He grabbed his ribcage area while walking in with the help of the training staff. Gary Matthews Jr. replaced him at the time and was in the starting lineup at center and batting seventh Tuesday.

Hunter is batting .319 and leads the Angels with 16 home runs and 51 RBIs and hit a career-high three homers Saturday against San Diego. Before the injury, Hunter extended his hitting streak to nine games with a fourth-inning single.