Span rests sore right foot in Philly opener

PHILADELPHIA -- Nationals center fielder Denard Span was not in Monday's lineup because of a deep bruise in his right foot. He is hoping that he is back in the lineup Tuesday.

Span hurt the foot after he fouled a ball in the sixth inning against the Indians on Sunday and was clearly in pain, slamming his bat to the ground as he was trying to walk off the pain. He remained in the game, however. 

Span would later reach base on an infield single and move to second on an error by first baseman Mark Reynolds. Anthony Rendon was the next hitter, and he singled to right field. Span normally would have scored easily, but he had to hold up at third.

After the team arrived in Philadelphia on Sunday night, Span, who needed a shoehorn to put on his shoe postgame, was able to walk around without any serious problems. But when he woke up Monday morning, Span said the foot was tender, and he received treatment.

Span said he has never had a problem with his foot until this season, during which he has fouled a ball off his foot three times. Span has a theory as to why he has foot problems this year. It may have to do with his swing. Since May 19, Span's batting average has dropped from .287 to 256.

"My swing right now is not good. My swing is not what it normally is," Span said. "[Manager Davey Johnson] said it's not my swing, but it's my timing. Either way, it has something to do with my swing. I never done this in 25 years. I probably fouled off a pitch on the side of my foot, but you get right back in the box. But I've never squared off the top of my foot three times."

Span was able to take some soft-toss swings without any problems Monday.