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| Twins |
After all, he played just six games in a Twins uniform before suffering the injury on April 7.
"You don't really know what he's going to bring, so hopefully it solidifies the infield," Minnesota's Michael Cuddyer said. "He's still going to have to get used to playing Major League Baseball, because he's never done it before. He's a rookie just like the other guys that have been here."
The road back for Nishioka has been a long one. The Twins' medical staff initially estimated his return at 4-to-6 weeks. It's now been over nine weeks, and no date has been set for his return.
He's getting closer, however. He and catcher Joe Mauer have been rehabbing in Florida, and both have played in a handful of games with the Fort Myers Miracle, Minnesota's Class A affiliate. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire has made it clear, however, that he'd like to see Nishioka face some tougher competition -- likely with Class AAA Rochester -- before he returns to the majors.
"My preference is for him to go to AAA and play three or four more ball games just to see how he handles himself, make sure he's on track, make sure he's ready to step in and play right up here," Gardenhire said. "He's not been swinging great. I want to see him go full out."
After going 2-for-4 in the Miracle's game Friday, Nishioka has now batted 4-for-12 with a double and four runs scored in four games with Fort Myers. He would have had another double but didn't touch first base on his way to second and was called out.
When Nishioka does come off the disabled list, it'll likely shake things up in the Twins' infield. Alexi Casilla, who started the season at shortstop as Nishioka's double-play partner, has bounced between second base and shortstop since Nishioka was hurt. While Nishioka started the year at second, he's been seeing plenty of time at shortstop during his rehab games in the minors.
Nishioka was playing second when the injury happened in early April. New York's Nick Swisher slid into Nishioka's leg while trying to break up a double play. While he did so, he also fractured Nishioka's left fibula.
Gardenhire said playing shortstop would allow Nishioka to have an easier time turning double plays.
"He'll be able to see everything. It'll be more in front of him, double plays and all those things," Gardenhire said. "We're going to start him out at shortstop over there, probably mix him in later on the other side. ... But shortstop, I'm going to see a lot of him at shortstop."
And for Casilla? He said he's comfortable at either position and won't mind sliding over to second base when Nishioka comes back.
"I'll play anywhere, second base or short," Casilla said. "That's the manager's decision. Wherever he decides I'm going to be, I'll be there. I just want to be in the lineup and be out there every day."
When Casilla, a native Spanish speaker, and Nishioka were both on the field at the same time, the language barrier was somewhat of an issue. Nishioka speaks limited English, and Casilla has learned only a few Japanese phrases with the help of Nishioka's interpreter, Ryo Shinkawa.
"Right now, I forgot my Japanese. I've got to get back on track and read a couple books," Casilla said. "Ryo, he wrote a couple words for me so I can communicate in the field. I've got to go back to that sheet."
In Japan, Nishioka was a three-time Gold Glove winner and a batting champion during his eight seasons with Nippon Professional Baseball's Chiba Lotte. In six games with the Twins, Nishioka hit just .208 (5-for-24) with two RBIs and a double. So while his resume would indicate Nishioka will give the Twins another steady bat and solid glove, the team is anxious to see his skills translate at the Major League level.
"He has great bat control," Casilla said. "I'm excited that he's coming back. We really need him here, because of his defense and his bat."
"It's definitely intriguing," Cuddyer said of Nishioka's return. "It was exciting to be able to start the season just to see what he could bring to the big leagues. It's almost like starting the season again."
