VIERA, Fla. -- When Denard Span put on his new Washington Nationals jersey for the first time recently, he couldn't help but take a look in the mirror.

Span liked what he saw.

"It even felt good," he said. "It felt like my uniform fits a little better than it fit in Minnesota. It's probably my waist. I don't know if it's the pants, the material or something, but it seemed like it hugged my waist a little bit better.

"It was a refreshing feeling, like a new beginning. (I'm) a little energized."

The Nationals, who held their first full-squad workout on Sunday, sent minor league pitcher Alex Meyer to the Twins in exchange for the 28-year-old Span in November.

Span fills a void the team has long been searching to fill -- a speedy defensive center fielder who can bat at the top of the order and has a career .357 on-base percentage.

"He helps us on a bunch of different levels, not to mention that we think he's a terrific character guy in the clubhouse," Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said. "He's going to fit in here perfectly and be a guy that really is a leader on this club."

Nationals manager Davey Johnson met with Span on Sunday to briefly talk about how much work the outfielder is used to getting during spring training.

Johnson said one of his biggest concerns this spring is making sure Span has a chance to play the outfield with Bryce Harper and Jayson Werth so the trio can get used to each other's defensive range, and also work out any communication issues.

"Just to be here (and fill a need) they've been looking for ... I think it's going to pay off," Span said. "I think it's going to allow everybody to get where they need to be in the lineup and be comfortable.

"It's a good feeling to be somewhere where you're wanted and needed."

The Nationals were reportedly interested in acquiring Span two years ago, while he was still trying to recover from a concussion following a collision with Kansas City catcher Brayan Pena on June 3, 2010.

Span said he was taken by surprise by the rumors two years ago. When the trade actually happened, not only was he more prepared for it, but his mother cried.

"She cried tears of joy," Span said. "She was just excited for a new opportunity for me. ... She told me she had been praying for me to get traded to Washington. I think that's why she was so emotional. She felt like God had answered her prayers."

Thanks to yoga, some chiropractic work and a few changes in his diet, Span says he is past his concussion issues, which he said were more mentally taxing than anything physical.

Now, he has a new team and a fresh new outlook.

"I'm happy to be here," he said. "I'm happy for change. It's refreshing to be in a new place, a new place in my life and for a new opportunity."

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