MINNEAPOLIS — Second baseman Tsuyoshi Nishioka's return to the majors was short-lived.
The Minnesota Twins optioned Nishioka back to Triple-A Rochester on Monday to make room on the roster for third baseman Trevor Plouffe. The Twins activated Plouffe from the 15-day disabled list. He was placed on the DL on July 27 (retroactive to July 21) with a bruised right thumb.
Nishioka appeared in just three games in his return, going 0-for-14 with an RBI at the plate in a three-game series against Cleveland. He also committed three errors in three games at second base, including two in one game.
Plouffe played in two games during a rehab assignment with Rochester. He went 0-for-4 in his first rehab game Saturday against Pawtucket. He had to face knuckleballer Steven Wright, who got the start for the Red Sox.
"I said I wanted him to face some velocity and he faces a knuckleballer," Gardenhire joked before the Twins' game Sunday.
In Sunday's game against Lehigh Valley, Plouffe was 0-for-4 with a walk. He was batting .259 with 19 homers and 38 RBI in 74 games prior to landing on the DL.
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