The Twins announced that they outrighted right-hander Nick Blackburn and infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka off of the 40-man roster. Blackburn has been outrighted to Triple-A Rochester and Nishioka, who had previously joined the Triple-A team, will remain in Rochester.
Blackburn, 30, has a 7.39 ERA with 3.8 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9 in 98 2/3 innings over the course of 19 starts this year. He's under contract for $5.5MM in 2013, the last season of the four-year, $14MM extension he signed following his respectable 2008-09 seasons. Nishioka, 28, has spent most of the 2012 season at Triple-A, where he has a .252/.311/.313 batting line in 380 plate appearances. He's under contract for $3MM in 2013. The Twins have 2014 options for both Blackburn and Nishioka.
The Marines could definitely use Nishioka more than the worst record in the American League, Minnesota Twins. The Chiba Lotte Marines are right in there with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (Names are so ridiculous) in the Pacific League.
The Mariners already have a cheaper Nishioka in Munenori Kawasaki.
I read your post as “Mariners” first instead of “Marines.” Never mind….
Finally. I’m ready for some Sept call-ups. Seems to be the last thing to look forward to this year.
Our September call-ups have been playing in the bigs since May ’11. The cupboard is bare.
You’re right, we’re pretty much running on empty but I was talking about Arcia and Parmalee. Hopefully Arcia can get some good ab’s and I’d really like to see Parmalee play every day instead of twice a week.
They won’t call up anyone with any talent, they hate starting service time, how do you think we always have all of these 29 year old rookies?
I think that a return to Japan would be the best thing for Nishioka right now.