WASHINGTON (AP) -- Washington Nationals centerfielder Denard Span has been activated from the 15-day disabled list prior to Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies.
The return comes earlier than expected for Span, who had surgery to repair a core muscle in early March after a previous procedure to fix a sports hernia injury last December.
''To be honest with you, I didn't think it would be this soon,'' Span said. ''It's been a tough road. A tough six months for me.''
In a corresponding roster move, the Nationals optioned outfielder Michael A.