Span eyeing Saturday return from concussion

MIAMI -- Nationals center fielder Denard Span continues to make progress in his recovery from a concussion and eyes a return on Saturday.

Span, who is currently on the seven-day disabled list, took swings before and during batting practice on Monday. Doctors checked on him afterward. He planned to do the same on Tuesday.

"I felt pretty good," Span said. "Today I feel even better. Feel better today so far than I did yesterday, so that's a good sign."

A decision was made by game's end that Span would fly ahead of the club to Washington on Wednesday morning for a checkup. The plan would call for him to play in a couple of rehab games leading up to Saturday.

Since colliding with Braves second baseman Dan Uggla while running the bases last Friday, Span has seen a chiropractor, who has adjusted his neck. He has also tried to rest as much as possible.

Span sustained a concussion in 2011 as a member of the Twins. He scored higher on Monday's test than he did during his baseline examination in 2008.

"It just shows how far along I've come since 2011 to now," Span said. "Even after having a collision like I did three days ago to be feeling as good as I am today. It just shows all the hard work I've done over the years to get to this point."