News
Span happy to have correct diagnosis
Outfielder has inner-ear infection, now focused on recovery
By Tyler Mason / MLB.com
06/17/09 7:52 PM ET
MINNEAPOLIS -- For Twins outfielder Denard Span, the worst part about his recent illness has been the uncertainty. Span has been experiencing dizziness for nearly a month, but until Monday, neither he nor the doctors could figure out what was causing it. One initial diagnosis suggested a thyroid problem, but further tests revealed Span has vestibular neuritis, or an inner-ear infection, in his right ear. |
The illness landed Span on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday, retroactive to June 10th. As disappointed as Span was to be put on the DL, he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief to finally know what exactly has been bothering him.
"That was a lot of stress, too, just not knowing. I've been feeling a certain way for a long time," Span said. "It's almost like I can tell myself it was something. I wasn't hallucinating. For a minute I was like, 'What the heck is this thing going on?'" "I think that's important, and that's what he had been talking about was just kind of figuring out what's going on and why he's having this so he can try to get by it," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. Span started taking medication Tuesday, and said he's already starting to feel some relief. He hasn't picked up a bat in over a week, and admitted he was anxious to get back to baseball activities. "Try to do a little more each day is my goal," Span said. "I'm not taking this as a vacation. I'm going to try to take advantage of this time to definitely get my coordination back and keep my body in shape." Span had missed Minnesota's past six games prior to Wednesday's contest against Pittsburgh. He's eligible to be reinstated from the DL on June 25th, when the Twins wrap up a series in Milwaukee. In Span's absence, Minnesota called up outfielder Jason Pridie from Triple-A Rochester. Span made it to the Metrodome for Tuesday's series opener, but he admitted it was tough to watch from the dugout. "It was hard for me to come here and be here in person and not being able to be on the field," Span said. "I feel like everything happens for a reason. ... The only thing I can do is just try to get back healthy and make sure once I'm off the DL and activated, I can step right in and dig in like I was before."Tyler Mason is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
