Tsuyoshi Nishioka to continue rehab assignment with Triple-A Rochester

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Twins are one step closer to perhaps getting a key player back in the lineup.

Infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka was sent from Fort Myers to Toledo on Saturday to continue his rehab assignment at Triple-A with the Rochester Red Wings. After playing a few games for Rochester, the Twins are hopeful Nishioka will be able to rejoin the team in Minneapolis by midweek.

In four games at shortstop with the Single-A Fort Myers Miracle, Nishioka -- sidelined since April 7 with a broken fibula -- was 4-for-12 with a double, two walks, four runs, one RBI and one stolen base.

Nishioka began the season as the Twins' starting second baseman, but he will likely return as the starting shortstop, with current shortstop Alexi Casilla being shifted across the bag.

Also joining Nishioka in Toledo is left-hander Glen Perkins, who is scheduled to throw one inning in his first rehab outing since being sidelined on May 21 with a strained oblique.

Phil Mackey is a columnist for 1500ESPN.com. He co-hosts "Reusse & Mackey" weekdays from 4 to 6pm on 1500 ESPN Twin Cities.
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