Span not in lineup tonight as Twins take on the White Sox

Denard Span has missed 47 games this season and really doesn't want to miss any more.

But he realized, ``you have to be smart about this."

After meeting with Twins manager Ron Gardenhire at 4 p.m. Span will sit tonight out. He's played three games since recovering from a concussion suffered in May. After getting to bed at about 6:45 a.m. following the trip to Anaheim, Span and Gardenhire decided that he should take a break and start on Saturday.

Span said he felt a little drained after the flight but thinks only a small part of it was due to the concussion. Like teammate Justin Morneau, Span has been working with the same Pittsburgh specialist. Unlike Morneau, Span has been able to avoid going on medication to help him with his recovery.

Another reason the decision was tough: He's batting .364 against Mark Buehrle, tonight's starter.

``Me and him have had some pretty good battles," Span said.

Soon after that meeting, Gardenhire walked by Ben Revere, tapped him on the shoulder and said. ``Centerfield." It was kind of funny, as Revere spun one way to look at Gardenhire then spun the other way to look over at Span.

Paul Konerko has been hobbled by a sore left calf after being plunked there by Detroit's Andrew Miller last weekend. He's not 100 percent but is in the starting lineup. ``Paul Konerko is a very brave man," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. ``He's very sore."

Guillen also said that he wouldn't mind Jim Thome hitting his 600th home run on his watch. ``You know what? Guillen said. ``I hope it doesn't win the game, but I would like to see it."

Second baseman Alexi Casilla (right hamstring) took grounders before the game and is feeling much better.

White Sox (52-58)

1. Juan Pierre, LF
2. Alexei Ramirez, SS
3. Paul Konerko, DH
4. Adam Dunn, 1B
5. Carlos Quentin, RF
6. A.J., C
7. Gordon Beckham, 2B
8. Alejandro De Aza, CF
9. Brent Morel, 3B

Twins (51-60)

1. Ben Revere, CF
2. Matt Tolbert, 2B
3. Joe Mauer, 1B
4. Michael Cuddyer, RF
5. Kuboom, DH
6. Danny Valencia, 3B
7. Delmon Young, LF
8. Tsuyoshi Nishioka, SS
9. Drew Butera, C