Nationals' Span undergoes successful sports hernia surgery

Washington Nationals center fielder Denard Span underwent successful surgery to repair a sports hernia and is expected to be ready for spring training, the team announced Wednesday. 

Span told William Ladson of MLB.com that he injured himself during the end of the season but the pain wasn't enough to cost him any games. He hoped rest would resolve the issue but the pain resumed when he began offseason workouts. 

The 30-year-old posted arguably the best season of his seven-year career in 2014 with the Nationals, nearly missing out on a Gold Glove. Span finished with a career-high 184 hits and 31 stolen bases while slashing .302/.355/.416 in 147 games. 

Span has a one-year, $9 million remaining on his current deal with Washington.