Denard Span didn't expect to wind up in the starting lineup today.
But he took some swings during early batting practice and liked the results. He conferred with the trainers and decided that he was ready to give it a shot.
So Span returns to the lineup after missing nine games with a sore clavicle.
I received a lot of feedback on my Span MRI story today, and there's one thing I want to clear up.
Several readers wondered why the Twins didn't use an open-air MRI with Span. I'm here to inform you that they did try the open air machine with Span, and he still couldn't go through with it. Span has indicated that the worst part for him is not being able to move his arms and hands during the procedure. I'm guessing that's still an issue regardless of which machine is being used.
I've covered some other players who were claustrophobic like Span, but Span is the first one to admit it on the record. I give him credit for that. because many players wouldn't want that information out there.
BREAKING: Willingham scratched
Josh Willingham was scratched from the lineup about 50 minutes before the first pitch because of a stiff neck. Ryan Doumit will move to DH and bat cleanup in place of Willingham. Matt Carson comes off the bench to start in left field and bat sixth.
