DETROIT -- Twins center fielder Denard Span was scratched from tonight's starting lineup with continued tightness in his right hamstring. He's day-to-day.
Erik Komatsu will take his place in center field and the leadoff spot.
Span, who missed Tuesday's game with the same injury, actually continued taking batting practice and ran the bases even after being scratched. He's available off the bench.
Span is a .353 career hitter against the Tigers. Manager Jim Leyland once said, "He hits us so good, it's like he's in our meetings."
Morneau returns
The Twins will have Justin Morneau back in their lineup tonight, as they begin a two-game series with the Tigers at Comerica Park.
According to Baseball-Reference.com, Morneau is a career .188 hitter off tonight's starter for Detroit, Rick Porcello (3-for-16 with one homer, two doubles, four RBI, one walk and two strikeouts). Morneau is 3-for-6 lifetime against Thursday's starter, Doug Fister.
Nick Blackburn pitches for the Twins tonight, coming off his first win in 14 starts. As La Velle noted in his series preview, the key matchup for Blackburn is Miguel Cabrera, who is 13-for-29 (.448) with three homers and 13 RBI for his career against the righthander.
