Twins Activate Trevor Plouffe, Send Tsuyoshi Nishioka Back To Triple-A

The Minnesota Twins got some good news when they heard that Trevor Plouffe was going to be able to come back sooner rather than later. On Monday, the team activated him from the 15-day disabled list on top of that, according to Rhett Bollinger on the official website.

Plouffe has been a bright spot for the Twins this year, hitting .259/.330/.525 with 19 homeruns in 74 games this year. He was placed on the disabled list retroactive to July 21, and had a rehab assignment with Triple-A Rochester, in which he went 0-for-8 with a walk in two games. Still, those rehab assignments are less about looking awesome and more about looking like you're not going to fall apart going full-speed.

Barring any setbacks, Plouffe should be in the lineup sooner rather than later, which is definitely a good things as the Twins have struggled lately. The Detroit Tigers are making a push in their division, and could be a tough team to beat right now with their strong pitching staff. Plouffe certainly helps things.

The team optioned second baseman Tsuyoshi Nishioka to Triple-A Rochester to make room on the roster. Nishioka went 0-for-12 at the plate with three errors in the field during a three-game series against the Indians recently.

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Trevor Plouffe Injury: Twins 3B Expected To Rejoin Team Monday After Rehab Stint

It only might take two days with Triple-A Rochester, but Minnesota third baseman Trevor Plouffe is reportedly on track to make his return in a Twins uniform on Monday according to MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger:

The Twins open up a three-game homestand with the Detroit Tigers on Monday, so Plouffe's presence in the lineup would come at a time when Minnesota appears to be entering a skid after a very strong two-week stretch. Plouffe finished 0-for-4 from the plate with a pair of strikeouts in Saturday's game with the Red Wings, but played well in the field and made two key plays at third late in the game.

More importantly, though, Plouffe felt good enough after the game to convince his team that he's ready to be recalled sooner rather than later, which is a great sign. The 26-year-old infielder has not suited up for a game with the Twins since July 20, but should be back with the club to open the week barring a setback.

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Trevor Plouffe Injury: Twins Infielder Nearing Return, To Start Triple-A Rehab Assignment Saturday

On the verge of returning from a thumb injury that has sidelined him since late July, Minnesota Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe will officially begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Rochester on Saturday.

While the length of Plouffe's stay in the minors is ultimately dependent on how quickly he can prove to Minnesota brass that his thumb is 100%, the 26-year-old infielder told the Pioneer Press that he feels completely fine swinging a bat. "The last couple days we've been able to hit with no pain," Plouffe said. "It's something that won't fully heal until the offseason but it's manageable right now and feels good enough to swing, so that's enough for me."

Considering that Plouffe's biggest contributions this season have come at the plate, this sounds like an extremely promising sign for the burgeoning power hitter. After posting a terrible .121 average in April and then .185 in May, Plouffe's power explosion in the month of June where he belted 11 home runs ultimately forced the Twins to keep him in their daily lineup, and he has yet to disappoint.

Itching to get back on the field after sitting out 18 games, Plouffe is hopeful that he can return to the Twins on Monday to open up a three-game series with the Detroit Tigers. If not, it's expected that Plouffe will be activated in time for Minnesota's brutal 10-game road trip that starts in Seattle on Friday.

Stay with this StoryStream for more news about Plouffe's injury, and be sure to check out Twinkie Town for more on the Twins. Also head over to Baseball Nation for even more MLB analysis.

Minnesota Twins Place Trevor Plouffe On Disabled List, Luis Perdomo Recalled

When Trevor Plouffe was scratched from the starting lineup on Friday, it was a possibility that he'd land on the disabled list with a bruised right thumb. That possibility became a reality, as the Minnesota Twins have placed Plouffe on the disabled list, retroactive to July 21 -- the last time he appeared in a game for the Twins.

Plouffe originally bruised his thumb against the Royals on July 20, when he was jammed on an inside pitch from Royals right-hander Luke Hochevar.

He missed Minnesota's next five games as a result, but was slated to make his return on Friday.

"He didn't feel right in BP," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He swung earlier in the cage and was OK. But he got out there on the field and started swinging and felt it. No good."

Plouffe has enjoyed somewhat of a breakout year in 2012, hitting .259/.330/.525 with 19 home runs in 74 games.

The Twins also announced that Luis Perdomo has been recalled from AAA, after Anthony Swarzak was placed on the disabled list. Perdomo has accumulated 59 innings between AA New Britain and AAA Rochester, striking out 61 and walking 18, while allowing just 38 hits.

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