Denard Span leaves game after landing awkwardly on right shoulder

MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota Twins center fielder Denard Span left Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays after landing awkwardly on his right shoulder while attempting to catch a line drive.

With two outs in the top of the sixth inning and the game tied 3-3, Span sprinted in toward medium-depth centerfield as he tracked a liner hit by Rays third baseman Jeff Keppinger. Span dropped to a knee and made an awkward, sliding attempt to catch the ball but came up short.

As he fell to the ground, Span's momentum caused him to do a half-somersault and land on his right shoulder.

He crawled over to pick up the ball and throw it into the infield, then went back to the ground in pain. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire ran out with a trainer, but Span stayed in the game temporarily before exiting prior to the seventh.

X-rays came back negative after the game. Span is considered day-to-day.

Phil Mackey is a columnist for 1500ESPN.com. He co-hosts "Reusse & Mackey" weekdays from 4 to 6pm on 1500 ESPN Twin Cities.
Email Phil | @PMac21 | Reusse and Mackey