MLB roundup: Nats acquire Span; Yankees, Rivera near deal

--Minnesota Twins outfielder Denard Span was traded to the Washington Nationals on Thursday for pitching prospect Alex Meyer. Span, a five-year veteran who has spent his career with the Twins, hit .283 last season with four homers, 41 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. He is a .284 career hitter who has had his last two seasons cut short by injuries. He is expected to take over center field for the Nationals, moving Bryce Harper to either left or right field. That will leave Adam LaRoche, who is currently a free agent, and Michael Morse fighting for the other outfield spot. Span, who has a .357 career on-base percentage, is signed for the next two seasons and has a $9 million team option for 2015. The 6-foot-9 Meyer was a first-round draft pick in 2011. The 22-year-old right-hander had a 10-6 record with a 2.86 ERA combined with low-Class A Hagerstown and high-Class A Potomac.---The New York Yankees and closer Mariano Rivera are close to a contract for the 2013 season, according to ...