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04/05/2008 7:30 PM ET
Span should see plenty of action
Minnesota (2-3) vs. Kansas City (3-2), Sunday, 1:10 p.m. CT
By Leslie Parker / Special to MLB.com
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With Michael Cuddyer on the disabled list with a dislocated right index finger, 2002 first-round Draft pick Denard Span will get a chance to prove himself in the Majors.
This will be Span's first trip to the Majors after battling with Carlos Gomez for the starting center-field spot this spring. Span was one of the team's final cuts. In 16 games this spring, Span hit .282 with two RBIs and a .404 on-base percentage.
"He's going to have to owe me a dinner or something," Cuddyer said. "That's what I told him in Spring Training, I wasn't really referring to me getting hurt, but you just never know what's going to happen. You never know if somebody's going to get hurt or somebody starts off slow or whatever. I should have knocked on wood when I said that. But it's great for him to be able to come up here."
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said Span will see the majority of time in right field, but Saturday's starter Jason Kubel and Craig Monroe will be worked into the mix.
"I haven't played right field since 11th grade, so I'm already putting an excuse out there in case something happens [Sunday]," Span said. "I've been waiting for this my whole life, I'll play shortstop if they want me to. I'm ready to go."
Pitching matchup
MIN: RHP Boof Bonser (0-1, 4.50 ERA)
Despite some early first-inning jitters, Bonser put together a solid first outing of the 2008 season. Trying to overcome his penchant for not lasting deep into outings in '07, Bonser managed to pitch six innings and throw just 89 pitches. His hope is that he'll only increase that length with each outing. Bonser has gone 2-4 against the Royals with a 4.73 ERA in nine career appearances.
KC: RHP Brett Tomko (0-0, 4.50 ERA)
Despite his poor showing in 2007 with the Dodgers, the Royals saw some life in Tomko when he resurfaced with the Padres late last season. His 11 seasons in the Majors include 250 starts, so he's no novice at this assignment. He's threw his usual assortment of hard, hard, hard pitches in Spring Training, but pitching coach Bob McClure gave him some variety with an offspeed curveball. Tomko caught on fast, and it's been working rather well.
Tidbits
Francisco Liriano's wife, Johanna, gave birth to a healthy baby boy Friday morning in Miami. Kevin Liriano weighed in at 9 lbs, 7 oz. ... Carlos Gomez ended his five-game hit streak on Saturday, going 0-4 with three strikeouts. ... Shortstop Adam Everett made his team-leading second error of the season on Saturday.
Tickets
 Buy tickets now to catch the game in person.
On the Internet
 MLB.TV
 Gameday Audio
• Gameday
• Official game notes
On television
• WFTC29, (FSN outstate)
On radio
• TRN, KMNV / KMNQ (Español)
Up next
• Monday: Twins (Nick Blackburn, 0-1, 1.29) at White Sox (Javier Vazquez, 0-1, 7.20), 3:05 p.m. CT
• Tuesday: Off-day
• Wednesday: Twins (TBD) at White Sox (John Danks, 0-0, 1.35), 7:11 p.m. CT Leslie Parker is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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