MLB Umpire Greg Gibson -- Torii Hunter Broke My Nose ... But I Forgive Him

MLB umpire Greg Gibson suffered a broken nose and a nasty gash near his eye when L.A. Angels star Torii Hunter accidentally cleated him in the face during Wednesday's game ... but Gibson tells TMZ he isn't holding a grudge.

We spoke with the 43-year-old umpire ... who tells us he's recovering nicely after Hunter's foot collided with his face during a botched slide at home plate.

Gibson says he required 5 stitches to close the wound near his eye. During an exam with an Angels team doctor during the game, Gibson says he was informed the bridge of his nose was fractured.

Doctors also performed a CT scan, but determined he did NOT suffer any head trauma.

Gibson tells us ... Hunter visited him after the game and apologized.

Gibson says Hunter seemed "upset and worried" about the accident ... but the umpire tells us he doesn't blame Torii ... chalking it up to a "freak play ... an accident."

In fact, Gibson says Hunter is one of the nicest guys in the league ... "One of the princes of the game."

Gibson says he has another eye exam Friday morning ... and if he passes, he hopes to get back on the job ASAP.