Twins send struggling Nishioka back to Triple-A

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins have sent middle infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka back to Triple-A Rochester after a rough week in the majors.

The move was made Monday before the Twins played Detroit to make room for third baseman Trevor Plouffe, who was returned from his rehabilitation assignment with Rochester and reinstated from the disabled list. Plouffe bruised his right thumb and has been out since July 21. He played in two games for Rochester over the weekend before being cleared to rejoin the Twins.

Nishioka was recalled from Rochester a week ago, but the former Japanese league batting champion went 0 for 12 with three errors at second base plus a number of other blunders in the field. He didn't appear in any of the games against Tampa Bay over the weekend.

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