Denard Span is not in the Twins lineup for the third straight game. He has spent the day getting examined by doctors, and Twins trainer Rick McWane said the team's initial impression is that Span has whiplash.
The Twins plan to have Span meet with their doctors when he gets to the ballpark today to make a plan.
* Meanwhile, at Class A Fort Myers, Joe Mauer is back in the lineup at catcher tonight after catching eight innings last night, according to the Miracle's broadcaster, Alex Margulies (via Twitter).
Mauer isn't eligible to return from the 60-day disabled list until Sunday. The Twins are off Monday, but there is growing speculation that he'll be back at Target Field on Tuesday to face the White Sox.
"If he hasn't caught enough, and we don't deem him ready to do that, then we won't do that," Manager Ron Gardenhire said, adding that he'd like to see Mauer show that he can catch back-to-back-to-back games before coming off the DL.
* Tsuyoshi Nishioka (broken left fibula) could benefit from a rehab assignment with Class AAA Rochester, Gardenhire said.
* Justin Morneau's MRI exam on his left wrist showed fluid but no structural damage. He's in the lineup at DH.
* Joe Nathan (right flexor muscle strain) felt great throwing in a bullpen session and will throw another one Saturday. If that goes well, he'll head to Fort Myers, Fla., for a rehab stint.
