Injured finger gives Span a chance

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

Last update: April 5, 2008 - 8:57 PM

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When we last tuned in, young outfielder Denard Span was coming to grips with the possibility he would spend the entire season at Class AAA Rochester, keeping his major league dreams on hold.

Span had to fight to remain composed as he spoke with reporters after being one of the final Twins spring training cuts. What he didn't realize was that the last ones cut in camp usually are the first ones called up when someone is hurt.

Michael Cuddyer's lacerated finger turned out to be Span's opportunity to reach the majors. Span was called up from Class AAA Rochester and could be in the lineup today against Kansas City.

Carlos Gomez will remain in center field, so Span took fly balls in right field after Saturday's 6-4 victory over the Royals.

"I haven't played right field since 11th grade so I'm already putting an excuse out there just in case something happens,'' Span joked. "I'll play wherever. I'll play shortstop if they want me to. I'm just ready to go.''

Span also is aware that Cuddyer's pain is his gain, and he stopped the veteran right fielder in the clubhouse.

"I need to take you out to dinner,'' Span said to Cuddyer.

The Finger

After Cuddyer dived for third base in the third inning on Friday, he looked up at third base coach Scott Ullger.

"Scotty, look at my hand,'' Cuddyer said.

"Oh no!'' Ullger exclaimed.

The knuckle near the tip of Cuddyer's right index finger was pushed back and the tip of the finger was bent upward. Cuddyer could see his tendon. Five stitches at Hennepin County Medical Center closed the cut, but now there's a hole in right field and in the Twins lineup.

Cuddyer will see hand specialist Tom Varecka on Tuesday, then join the Twins on their six-game road trip. He could swing a bat in 10 days and throw in about two weeks.

"It's too bad because I was swinging well,'' said Cuddyer, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of the dislocated and lacerated index finger. "It should only be 15 days.''

Cuddyer, batting .278 through five games, wasn't sure if he cut his hand on Alex Gordon's cleat. He believes that if he did, he would have severed the tendon and missed several weeks. Cuddyer said he thinks he busted the finger on either the back of Gordon's shoe or the base.

What's worse is that Cuddyer usually slides feetfirst into bases.

"On that play I had to,'' he said. "If I slide any other way, I'm out.''

Lahey coming back?

Righthander Tim Lahey's excellent adventure could lead him back to the Twins.

He was selected from the Twins organization by Tampa Bay during the Rule 5 daft in December. He was traded that day to the Cubs but was claimed off waivers by the Phillies late in spring training when the Cubs tried to send him to the minors.

Now the Phillies have designated Lahey for assignment. If Lahey clears waivers, the Phillies have to offer him back to the Twins. Lahey was 8-4 with a 3.45 ERA in 50 games at Class AA New Britain last year and gave up three runs in three innings of work at Class AAA Rochester.

Etc.

• Francisco Liriano's wife, Johanna, gave birth to the couple's first child at 8:44 a.m. Friday in Miami. Kevin Liriano entered the world at 9 pounds, 7 ounces.

• Righthander Kevin Slowey, recovering from a right biceps strain, is undergoing rehabilitation and isn't a candidate for the disabled list yet. "We're going to wait and see how he does after a week,'' manager Ron Gardenhire said.

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