While some owners were focused on drafting the next big thing, others benefited by snagging reliable veterans like Hunter at bargain value. For the Angels center fielder, 2009 marked his fourth straight season of 20 homers and double-digit swipes, making him one of fantasy's most consistent sources of power and speed.

Hunter has just six hits in his last 38 at-bats (a .158 average) and hit just .248 in 109 September at-bats. It's not the way he or his fantasy owners want to see the season end, but he has hit in four straight and the Angels are sticking with him in the third spot in the order. He's worth keeping in the lineup down the stretch unless you have a hotter bat on your bench.

Hunter continues to sizzle at the plate. The dynamic center fielder has hit safely in 12 straight games, during which time he's batting .354 (17-for-48) with three long balls and nine RBIs.

Hunter, who went 1-for-4 with a run scored, is heating up as the season winds down, posting a .341 average during the course of his streak.

Hunter has hit safely in his past 10 games, marking his third hitting streak of 10 or more games this season.

Hunter has not missed a step since returning from a strained adductor on Aug. 16. During that time, the hard-hitting center fielder has rung up a .320 average with 10 runs scored and 16 RBIs in 24 games and has hit safely in each of his last eight contests.

Hunter's power production has taken a dive since the All-Star break. Thursday's shot marked his third homer of the second half, after hitting 17 during the first half. The good news is his overall production remains steady, illustrated by his .308 average, 20 homers, 80 RBIs and 16 steals.

Hunter has hit safely in 10 of 11 games since returning from the DL on Aug. 16. This should lead into a fantastic September for Hunter, who's hit for a higher average during the month -- .288 -- than in any other month of his career.

Keep in mind that Hunter's hit streak started before a DL stint that lasted 32 days. With that said, Hunter has shown no signs of lingering groin pain, having gone 10-for-27 with two steals since returning to action.

The fact that Hunter felt comfortable attempting to steal second -- and succeeded -- speaks volumes about the condition of his back. Get him active.

Hunter also will take a day off in Toronto, where the Angels engage the Blue Jays in a three-game weekend series on Friday. Look for Hunter to be back in the No. 3 spot in the order in Toronto, between Bobby Abreu and Vladimir Guerrero. "I'm good," Hunter said, on his way to take batting practice in the inside cages. "They're being careful with me, and even though I never want to come out, I understand."

After missing over a month with a strained adductor muscle, it was great to see Hunter back in the fold and patrolling center field with his usual gusto. The veteran outfielder picked up right where he left hot Sunday and is hitting .306 with 17 homers and 67 RBIs on the year. If he hadn't landed on the DL, there's no telling what kind of damage Hunter could have done at the plate this season.

Hunter missed the team's past 31 games due to a strained muscle in his groin. With Hunter back in the lineup, the Halos will likely move Bobby Abreu to the two-spot, and put the returning center fielder in the three-hole ahead of Vladimir Guerrero. Willits has spent the bulk of the 2009 season splitting time between the Angels and within the Minor League system. In 34 games with the Halos this season, Willits hit .206 with 14 hits and six RBIs.

Hunter was scratched from his rehab game Thursday because of flu-like symptoms, and what Scioscia thought was "some kind of viral thing." The outfielder has been on the disabled list since July 10 because of a right thigh strain, and the club was originally planning to activate Hunter for Saturday's game in Baltimore. Scioscia also said Hunter's return Sunday will cause a lineup shift, most notably sending Bobby Abreu back to the two-spot, behind leadoff man Chone Figgins. Abreu hit third in the Angels' lineup Friday, and is hitting .309 with nine home runs and 77 RBIs this season. But as for Hunter, Scioscia said fans should expect to see him in starting lineup, but it will take some time to help him get back to playing on a daily basis.

Hunter thought he was ready to go play in his native Arkansas for the Angels' Double-A affiliate in Little Rock last weekend, but that fell through when he didn't pass a strength test administered by the training staff in Chicago. After a month-long stay on the DL, Hunter said he hopes to be back on the field for the Angels this weekend in Baltimore.