Nationals activate CF Span after long stint on disabled list

Denard Span has been reinstated from the 15-day disabled list by the Washington Nationals.

The center fielder missed 40 games with a back injury. He returned Tuesday as the Nationals' leadoff hitter against San Diego.

The 31-year-old Span intends to ease his way back into being an everyday player. He says, ''I haven't played in a long time. My body still needs to get into shape.''

Span is batting .304 with five homers and 11 steals in 59 games this season.

He joins a team that is chasing the first-place New York Mets in the NL East.

To make room for Span on the roster, Washington optioned right-hander Tanner Roark to Class A Potomac. Nationals manager Matt Williams says Roark will probably get two starts before returning to Washington.