Twins’ Tsuyoshi Nishioka Close To Return From Fractured Fibula

Nishioka has been on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Rochester, and, according to the article, told Japanese media following him that he will be in the Twin Cities on Wednesday. The article quotes Japan’s Kyodo News:

Nishioka had been placed on the 60-day DL, removing him from the 40-man roster, so the Twins will have to move someone off the 40-man roster to make room for him. The Twins begin a three-game series with their AL Central rivals, the Chicago White Sox, Tuesday evening at Target Field.

As for an every-day second baseman, Gardenhire said his preference is to use Hughes over Matt Tolbert.

“My preference is if Luke is going to be up here, I’m going to play him. I think Matty Tolbert, we kept him for a reason, and that’s to come off the bench and do all those little things, go all over the field. Luke is more of a starter, so we’re going to run him out there.”