Denard Span was expected to arrive before the first pitch and be in uniform for today’s game, but his arrival was easily trumped by the news that the Royals purchased Hideo Nomo’s contract from the minors.

Nomo, the trailblazer for Japanese players, will work out of the bullpen.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said Carlos Gomez will remain in center field and Span will move around the outfield. The Twins want Gomez to get settled in center. It sounds like Jason Kubel will slide back to the DH platoon with Craig Monroe on the days Gardy wants Gomez and Span in the lineup.

No word on if Francisco Liriano’s wife gave birth to the couple’s first child yet.

Michael Cuddyer, who was placed on the 15-day DL because of a dislocated and lacerated right index finger,  said before the game that he could be cleared to swing a bat within ten days. We’ll see. He said the knuckle near the tip of his index finger slipped backwards and the finger tip bent straight up when he hit Alex Gordon and third base during Friday’s game.

Marlin Levinson, who’s one of our great photographers at the Strib, e-mailed me the photo of Cuddy’s hand as he came off the field late last night. Yuck.

The Phillies have designated righthander Tim Lahey for assignment. Lahey was a Twins prospect who was selected by the Cubs in the Rule 5 draft but was claimed by the Phillies when Chicago tried to move him off their roster before Opening Day.

If Lahey clears waivers this time, the Phillies can offer him back to the Twins. The Twins, I’m hearing, will take him back. But I thought they were going to take R.A. Dickey back too. When the Mariners told the Twins they wanted to keep Dickey, the Twins gave them a list of five prospects they liked, and Seattle signed off on catcher Jair Fernandez.

Wow. A lot of stuff before a day game. These are the days the internet comes in handy because I’m not sure how much of this will make the Sunday paper.

Lineups

Royals

1. Joey Gathright, CF

2. Mark Grudzielanek,  2B

3. Mark Teahen, LF.

4. Jose Guillen, RF.

5. Billy Butler, DH.

6. Alex Gordon, 3B.

7. Miguel Olivo, C.

8. Ross Gload, 1B.

9. Alberto Callaspo, SS.

Pitching: Gil Meche

Twins

1. Go-Go, CF

2. Matt Tolbert, 2B

3. Joe Mauer, C.

4. Justin Morneau, 1B.

5. Delmon Young, LF,

6. Jason Kubel, RF.

7. Craig Monroe, DH

8. Mike Lamb, 3B.

9. Adam Everett, SS.

Pitching: LivoÂ

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