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Hunter’s X-ray, CT scan negative; Rodney suffers setback

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X-rays and a CT scan on the left hand of Angels right fielder Torii Hunter, which was hit by a Hiroki Kuroda pitch in the first inning Friday night, were negative.

But soreness and swelling in the hand forced Hunter out of the lineup for Saturday night’s game against the Dodgers, which will feature two of baseball’s best pitchers, Angels right-hander Jered Weaver and Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw. It’s also doubtful Hunter will start Sunday night’s series finale.

“I thought it was broke,” said Hunter, who played defense in the top of the second inning but came out of the game before the third. “I had no feeling in my hand. I wanted to run the bases, play defense and see what happens. But when I got back from playing defense [in the top of the second] it wasn’t right.”

Manager Mike Scioscia said Hunter would be available to play defense Saturday night, but Hunter, who was already nursing a bruised rib from a June 22 collision with the wall in Florida, did not swing a bat or perform any baseball activities before the game.

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“It’s always something,” Hunter, 35, said. “I had a sore rib, and now this. I guess it’s part of baseball.”

In other injury news, reliever Fernando Rodney suffered another setback in his recovery from an upper-back strain that has sidelined him since June 9. The right-hander did not throw in the bullpen Friday because of discomfort in his upper back, and there is no timetable for him to resume throwing at this point.

“He’s still having some symtoms,” Scioscia said. “Even though they’re minor, his progress has been slowed.”

The Angels lineup: 2B Maicer Izturis, SS Erick Aybar, DH Bobby Abreu, RF Vernon Wells, LF Howie Kendrick, 1B Mark Trumbo, 3B Alberto Callaspo, CF Peter Bourjos, C Jeff Mathis, P Weaver.

The Dodgers lineup: LF Tony Gwynn Jr, 3B Casey Blake, RF Andre Ethier, CF Matt Kemp, 1B James Loney, 2B Aaron Miles, DH Trent Oeltjen, C Dioner Navarro, SS Dee Gordon, P Kershaw.

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Angels outfielder Torii Hunter holds his left hand after being hit by a pitch during Friday’s loss to the Dodgers. Credit: Gary A. Vasquez / U.S. Presswire

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