Hunter hit by pitch on elbow, dealing with swelling

The Tigers were already prepared to lose Torii Hunter for a couple of games this weekend while he attended his sons’ graduation. Now they’re hoping they don’t lose him for longer than that. As it is, his status for Thursday’s series finale against the Pirates is questionable after he took a pitch off his left elbow during Wednesday night’s 5-3 loss.

Buchholz again pushed back; next start uncertain

The Red Sox have altered their plan on Clay Buchholz. The righty was tentatively supposed to start a three-game weekend series with the Yankees on Friday in New York. It now appears that Sunday will be the earliest Buchholz returns from a right AC joint injury that prevented him from taking the ball against the Phillies on Monday.

Phillies estimate mid-June return for Utley

The Phillies said last week Chase Utley’s strained right oblique would take two to four weeks to heal. They were optimistic he would need just two. But Utley still feels soreness in the oblique, so the club said Wednesday he is going to need more time than that. The club estimates he will be back sometime in mid-June.