Killebrew's health improves enough to stop in at camp

FORT MYERS, FLA. - Twins Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew has made enough progress in his battle with esophageal cancer to travel to Fort Myers on Wednesday. He will meet with the media Thursday morning at the Lee County Sports Complex.

Killebrew, who was diagnosed with the cancer in December, is expected to be in Fort Myers for a few days before heading back to his home in Arizona to continue treatment.

In recent years, Killebrew has reported to spring training and donned a uniform as a special instructor. That was in jeopardy this year after the diagnosis. He has undergone chemotherapy and radiation treatments while receiving an outpouring of support from Twins fans.

"I'm very excited for him to get a chance to come here," said Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, who has been communicating with Killebrew through text messages.

Span goes deep Twins outfielder Denard Span hit a Mike Pelfrey pitch in the third inning down the right-field line for his first home run of spring training.

Span is batting .387 (12-for-31) in camp, is third on the Twins with 12 hits (behind Jason Kubel's 15 and Luke Hughes' 13) and has three extra-base hits. He's been pleased with how he's been making solid contact, so the challenge for him now is to carry that into the regular season.

Duensing's progress Twins lefthander Brian Duensing gave up only one earned run over four innings against the Mets on Wednesday, but gave up five hits and walked one.

"We feel it's a mechanical thing," Duensing said, "and we are going to work on it."

Duensing already has been named a member of Gardenhire's starting rotation after starting each of the past two seasons in the bullpen.

Etc. • Closer Joe Nathan, Gardenhire said, is ready to try pitching in back-to-back games. Nathan pitched one scoreless inning against the Mets, allowing one hit.

• First baseman Justin Morneau also is close to being ready to play in back-to-back games. Indications are that the club wants him to play in the night game Friday against Baltimore to see how he responds, the next step in distancing himself from last year's concussion.

On deck Twins righthander Carl Pavano will pitch in a minor league spring training game today, so Drew Butera must catch him. "Pavano needs his Drew," Gardenhire said. "He's throwing the ball great and has a great routine. We're going to let them play together until Opening Day."

Righthander Matt Capps also will pitch in the minor league game.