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MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota Twins outfielder Denard Span is set to make two rehab appearances at Triple-A Rochester and be activated from the disabled list when he becomes eligible Thursday.
Span is on the DL retroactive to June 10 with vestibular neuritis in his right ear. Manager Ron Gardenhire said he will play Monday and Tuesday with the Red Wings before rejoining Minnesota for workouts Wednesday. If Span makes it through both games without suffering from the dizzy spells that have plagued him for most of the last month, he will be in the lineup against Milwaukee on Thursday.
"With two weeks off now and some medicine, exercise, by Thursday I would be very disappointed if I wasn't able to play," Span said. "And even more frustrated if this comes back."
Span is hitting .291 with four home runs and 24 RBIs this season as the Twins' leadoff hitter. He hit just .241 with a home run and two RBIs in eight June games before landing on the disabled list.
Minnesota starter Kevin Slowey (10-2), trying to avoid a trip to the DL, will have his next start pushed back to Saturday at St. Louis. Slowey tied a career high with four walks Friday against Houston while pitching through a stiff right side.
"It's muscle-related; he's having cramps in his side," Gardenhire said. "They tell me it's not a pull or anything like that, but we'll give it a couple more days just to make sure."
Slowey was slated to start against the Brewers on Thursday, but Scott Baker will be moved up to take his place and Glen Perkins will pitch against the Cardinals on Friday.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
Span is on the DL retroactive to June 10 with vestibular neuritis in his right ear. Manager Ron Gardenhire said he will play Monday and Tuesday with the Red Wings before rejoining Minnesota for workouts Wednesday. If Span makes it through both games without suffering from the dizzy spells that have plagued him for most of the last month, he will be in the lineup against Milwaukee on Thursday.
"With two weeks off now and some medicine, exercise, by Thursday I would be very disappointed if I wasn't able to play," Span said. "And even more frustrated if this comes back."
Span is hitting .291 with four home runs and 24 RBIs this season as the Twins' leadoff hitter. He hit just .241 with a home run and two RBIs in eight June games before landing on the disabled list.
Minnesota starter Kevin Slowey (10-2), trying to avoid a trip to the DL, will have his next start pushed back to Saturday at St. Louis. Slowey tied a career high with four walks Friday against Houston while pitching through a stiff right side.
"It's muscle-related; he's having cramps in his side," Gardenhire said. "They tell me it's not a pull or anything like that, but we'll give it a couple more days just to make sure."
Slowey was slated to start against the Brewers on Thursday, but Scott Baker will be moved up to take his place and Glen Perkins will pitch against the Cardinals on Friday.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
