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Punto's return squeezes out Macri

Elizabeth Flores, Star Tribune

Nick Punto

Infielder Nick Punto is back after his second stint on the disabled list in 2008.

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune

Last update: June 23, 2008 - 7:35 AM

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The Twins activated Nick Punto from the disabled list following Sunday's 5-3 victory over Arizona and sent fellow infielder Matt Macri back to Class AAA Rochester.

Punto will rejoin the Twins for Tuesday's game at San Diego. He will challenge Brendan Harris for playing time at shortstop, and both are candidates to play third base.

"We'll mix and match and see what happens," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "See how [Punto's] feeling out there. ... Punto brings a little more versatility in the middle, a little more range, but Harry's been doing pretty good."

Harris batted .421 (8-for-19) as the Twins went 6-0 on their homestand, raising his season average to .250.

Punto is batting .288 but has played only four games since May 7, spending two stints on the DL because of a strained left hamstring.

"He's not coming into an everyday job unless he earns it by going to play," Gardenhire said.

If Punto takes over shortstop, Harris could move to third base against lefthanded pitchers. But Harris has played only 15 career games at third, and none this year.

"It's in my golf bag, but I don't know that it's my favorite club," he said. "After playing short for a few weeks now, the footwork's very similar, and my arm's stretched out a little bit, so it shouldn't be that difficult of a transition."

Third base shuffle

Macri, who had been starting at third vs. lefties, batted .367 with one home run in 30 at-bats. He got squeezed in a roster crunch.

Mike Lamb, who hasn't played in the past seven games, is batting .224 with one home run in 192 at-bats. He also has a two-year, $6.6 million contract signed last offseason.

Brian Buscher has hit .385 with 11 RBI since getting recalled June 13. He had eight RBI over the homestand, including a two-run single Sunday.

Macri re-aggravated a calf injury Friday, so the disabled list was an option, but he assured the team he will be ready to play regularly for Rochester.

"Not an easy time to send a guy down that's played so well," Gardenhire said. "We just have a roster move we have to make right now, and that's just the one it is.

"As I told him, 'You've done very well and handled yourself well, and if we can figure out a few things, maybe get you back up here.' "

Casilla stays put

When Punto first went on the DL May 11, Alexi Casilla came up to play a utility role. But he has played so well at second base, offensively and defensively, Gardenhire has no plans to move him.

Casilla went 2-for-4 with two RBI and turned two nice double plays Sunday. He has driven in 27 runs since his recall.

Gardenhire compared the way Casilla has taken over second base to the way Michael Cuddyer took over right field in 2006. Shortstop could be in flux, but "I'm leaving Lexi at second base," Gardenhire said.

Home sweet Dome

Livan Hernandez held Arizona to three runs (one earned) on nine hits in seven innings, improving his home record to 6-0 with a 4.21 ERA.

He pitched for Arizona in 2006 and '07, so he knew the Diamondbacks were wise to his tricks.

"They know what I throw, so I tried to change everything around," he said. "But the sinker was working perfect. They hit a lot of ground balls today."

Pitching plans

Even with an off day today, the Twins don't plan to alter their rotation. Tuesday, Kevin Slowey will oppose San Diego's Jake Peavy, the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner.

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