KANSAS CITY, MO. — Denard Span is back in the starting lineup for the Twins tonight for the first time since getting hit in the back of the helmet on Monday in Chicago.

The Twins open a three-game series with the Royals and face a stiff test in RHP Robinson Tejeda, who has won each of his past three starts, including two against the first-place Tigers.

The Royals are 12-5 in their past 17 games.

Updates to come…

Update: Manager Ron Gardenhire said Francisco Liriano will indeed make Sunday’s start for the Twins. They’ll wait to see how he looks, but Liriano could throw between 60-80 pitches.

“[Jeff] Manship was a little bit overwhelmed,” Gardenhire said. “I don’t think Frankie will be overwhelmed at all. He’s going to let it fly. I don’t think the game itself is going to get to him.

(*) An interesting note about Tejeda is that he throws exclusively out of the stretch. In relief he showed a 97-mph fastball, but as a starter, he has reigned that in a bit, keeping it 93-94 mph, but with better command.

(*) Span stood in on Liriano’s bullpen session today to get himself re-acclimated to live pitching.

Span hadn’t had many days off since his stint on the disabled list, so this gave his body a three-day break.

“I didn’t raise my hand to get hit in the head just to get a couple days off,” he said, smiling.

(*) The Royals scratched Mark Teahen, who has been bothered by a sore back. Revised lineup below.

TWINS (79-73)

1. Denard Span, CF
2. Orlando Cabrera, SS
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Jason Kubel, RF
5. Michael Cuddyer, 1B
6. Delmon Young, LF
7. Jose Morales, DH
8. Matt Tolbert, 3B
9. Nick Punto, 2B

Starting pitcher: RH Carl Pavano (12-11, 4.82 ERA)

ROYALS (63-90)

1. Willie Bloomquist, RF
2. Mitch Maier, LF
3. Billy Butler, 1B
4. Mike Jacobs, DH
5. Alberto Callaspo, 2B
6. John Buck, C
7. Alex Gordon, 3B
8. Yuniesky Betancourt, SS
9. Josh Anderson, CF

Pitching: RH Robinson Tejeda (4-1, 2.94)

Kauffman Stadium. First pitch: 7:05 p.m. TV: FSN

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