Gardy: Span "handled himself very well"

Jeff Wheeler, Star Tribune

Denard Span

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

Last update: April 25, 2008 - 12:32 PM

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OAKLAND, CALIF. - The sting of being sent to the minors on Thursday didn't hurt outfielder Denard Span as much as it did when he was cut during spring training. The hunger to establish himself as a major leaguer remains.

So Span, who was sent back to Class AAA Rochester after Thursday's game to make room for Michael Cuddyer, will head to the Red Wings determined to make his stay as brief as possible.

"I just wanted to come up here and have an opportunity to play at this level,'' said Span, who batted .258 with a .324 on-base percentage, three stolen bases and two RBI in 12 games. "Now I know I can play up here. [I'll] go down there and continue to have the same mentality I had when I got sent down in spring training and prove to everybody that I should be here permanently.''

Span played out of position in right field while Carlos Gomez played center. But manager Ron Gardenhire was impressed.

"He's come in and handled himself very well,'' Gardenhire said. "I know he needs playing time, but I'd also like to have him up here on my bench and give him a role, too. Maybe that's something I can work on over the next couple of weeks. I kind of like having him here.''

Big Hurt is back

The A's surprised their fans Thursday by signing slugger Frank Thomas, who was designated for assignment by Toronto last week.

Oakland hopes Thomas, 39, will provide some power in the middle of the lineup. In 2006 Thomas batted .270 with 39 homers and 114 RBI for Oakland.

Gomez cool with move

Gomez was back in center field and batting in the leadoff spot Thursday after a 1-for-18 slump landed him on the bench Wednesday.

Gardenhire said he planned to talk to Gomez about being held out, but he said Thursday he didn't need an explanation.

"I come here every day and watch the lineup,'' he said. "In this game you don't have anything [given to you].

"I know the manager say, 'Carlos, you're not in the lineup today. Don't be like, 'Uh-oh.' I say, 'You don't have to tell me this. I'm on the team. I start the game, or I'll be ready where you can use me later and you can use me to win the game with defense, with speed.'"

Gomez assured Gardenhire that he would be ready whenever he needed him. He proved to be true to his word as he hit a leadoff home run to give the Twins a brief lead.

Kubel to face lefties

Twins outfielder Jason Kubel was 0-for-3 against Oakland lefty Greg Smith but has looked so comfortable against lefties lately that Gardenhire is ready to give him the same status as the M & M boys.

"I don't worry about who he's facing anymore,'' Gardenhire said of Kubel, who is hitting .222 against lefties versus .281 against righties. "They can bring in whatever lefties they want to [against] him, Mauer, Morneau. I'm just not going to hit for him.''

Etc.

• Gardenhire rested catcher Joe Mauer and third baseman Mike Lamb on a day game after a night game. Mike Redmond caught and Brian Buscher played third.

• Gardenhire and pitching coach Rick Anderson will meet to determine the starting rotation as the team heads into a stretch in which it has three off days over an eight-day span.