Tsuyoshi Nishioka

Twins Take Blackburn and Nishioka Off 40-Man Roster
The Twins took starting pitcher Nick Blackburn and infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka off the 40-man roster. Both players cleared waivers and were re-assigned to triple-A Rochester. Blackburn was 4-9 with a 7.39 ERA in 19 starts for the Twins this season. Blackburn is due $4.75 Million this season. Both players are unlikely to return to the major league team this season.
Twins Start 3-Game Series With Rays
The Twins start a 3-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays at Target Field Friday night at 7:10, pregame on WJON at 6:40. Righthander Cole DeVries (2-2) gets the start on the mound for the Twins and righthander Jeremy Hellickson (6-7) gets the start for the Rays. Trevor Plouffe will reportedly take batting practice today but will likely need a rehab assignment before being activated from the disabled list.
Twins Hand Indians 11th Straight Loss
The Twins have handed the Cleveland Indians their 11th straight loss with a come from behind 7-5 win at Cleveland Tuesday night. Minnesota scored 3 runs in the 9th inning when trailing 5-4. Tsuyoshi Niskioka had the go-ahead sacrifice fly in the 9th inning for the Twins. Ryan Doumit went 3-5 with a run scored, Brian Dozier was 2-5 with a run and 1 RBI and Jamey Carroll had 2 hits and a run scored for Minnesota.
Twins Assign Nishioka to Minor Leagues
Twins Assign Nishioka to Minor Leagues
Twins Assign Nishioka to Minor Leagues
The Twins have assigned middle infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka to the minor leagues after batting .240 this spring. He hit just .226 with no homeruns and 21 RBIs in 2011. Nishioka underachieved in his first season with the Twins and suffered a broken leg in the first week of the regular season causing him to miss 2 months.
Nishioka’s Struggles Made Worse With Hardy in Town
Nishioka’s Struggles Made Worse With Hardy in Town
Nishioka’s Struggles Made Worse With Hardy in Town
With former shortstop J.J. Hardy having a career year with the Orioles, many Twins fans may wonder how our infield would have been had Hardy stayed in Minnesota. Granted, Hardy had trouble staying on the field in his only year here, but he would still be an upgrade over current shortstop Tsuyoshi Nishioka.
Mauer To Return Friday; Nishioka Today
Twins' catcher Joe Mauer is scheduled to be activated from the disabled list Friday and start against the San Diego Padres at catcher. Mauer completed his rehab assignment at Class A Fort Myers Wednesday after facing live pitching against teammate Joe Nathan. Mauer has been out of the lineup since April 12 because of leg weakness.
Twins Place Morneau On DL; Nishioka Returns
Twins Place Morneau On DL; Nishioka Returns
Twins Place Morneau On DL; Nishioka Returns
The Twins placed first baseman Justin Morneau on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday with a left wrist sprain. The move is made retroactive to June 10. Morneau will have his left wrist immobilized for the next 10 days. Shortstop/2nd baseman Tsuyoshi Nishioka and relief pitcher Glen Perkins are both expected to fly to the Twin Cities today and could be activated from the disabled list tonight.
Yankees Edge Twins 4-3; Home Opener Today
The Twins lost 4-3 at New York against the Yankees to close what turned out to be a 3-game series. New York scored 3 4th inning runs. Francisco Liriano allowed 4 hits and 4 earned runs in 5 innings to take the loss and drop to 0-2 on the season. Joe Mauer went 2-4 and Jim Thome, Denard Span and Jason Kubel each had 1 hit and 1 RBI for Minnesota. Tsuyoshi Nishioka suffered a fractured left fibula when Nick Swisher tried to break up a double play at 2nd base.