Denard Span looked close to returning after seven innings for Harrisburg

Nationals center fielder Denard Span, who is on the disabled list recovering from right core muscle surgery, went 1-for-4 and played seven innings in a rehab assignment for Double-A Harrisburg. The Senators went on to win 8-4 over Bowie at Metro Bank Park.

Span was the leadoff hitter and played center field. He cranked a single in his fourth at-bat. Span also apparently did well defensively.

Denard Span just ran a long way to nab a dying flyball in RCF...I'd say he's moving just fine #HbgSens #Nats

-- Mick Reinhard (@Mayflies) April 14, 2015

Senators play-by-play announcer Terry Byrom said Span looked fine and appeared to be close to returning.

"His first at-bat, he bounced to shortstop and ran hard to first to make it close," Byrom said in an email. "(Span) moved well in center field and made one good running catch moving in and to his left that he caught off his shoe tops. He looked like he's close, that's for sure."

Span plans to play a full nine innings Wednesday.

Matt Skole hit a grand slam and Austin Voth (1-0) went six innings, allowing four runs to notch the win. Harrisburg (3-3) hosts Bowie again in the home series finale Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m.

An opposing runner finally stole a base on catcher Pedro Severino. Bowie's Glynn Davis stole second off of reliever Paul Demny and Severino. The first baseman was not holding the runner with an 8-4 lead in the ninth. Severino is now 7-for-8 (.875) in catching runners this season through six games.

The Nationals selected the contract of right-handed reliever Rafael Martin. Take a look back at why the Nationals felt he was so special back in 2012. Also, check out a piece on his work in the Arizona Fall League in late 2011.