Eduardo Nunez feels discomfort when he takes a swing so the Twins are giving him some rest on the 15-day disabled list, the team announced after Tuesday’s loss to the Athletics.
Nunez was diagnosed with a left oblique strain. Because he hasn’t played since last Wednesday, the move is retroactive to Thursday.
In eight games this season he is hitting .409 with 4 doubles and 2 RBIs.
Replacing Nunez for now is 34-year-old infielder Doug Bernier. According to the Star Tribune, Bernier has a career average of .233 in 40 games with the Twins. The Twins called up Bernier for his ability to play the infield versus better minor-league hitters, Josmil Pinto and Aaron Hicks. Pinto is hitting .324 and Hicks .318 at Triple-A Rochester.
“We can’t afford to waste any more time,” he said. “We need another player. We’re going to give Nunez time to hopefully get that thing right. I’d rather have protection on the infield,” said manager Paul Molitor, explaining the move to the Pioneer Press.
A candidate that warranted the call before Bernier, according to quite a few local scribes, is infielder James Beresford, who is hitting .345 at Triple-A Rochester.
Doug Bernier – .239/.280/.310 (.590)
James Beresford – .345/.381/.379 (.760)— Seth Stohs (@SethTweets) May 6, 2015
James Beresford hitting .345/.381/.379 at AAA, the #MNTwins decide to go with Doug Bernier instead who's hitting .239/.280/.310
— Ted (@tlschwerz) May 6, 2015
https://twitter.com/AaronGleeman/status/595789471418822656
Doug Bernier back in bigs. Have to say this for Twins: They do some goofy s–t.
— Patrick Reusse (@Patrick_Reusse) May 6, 2015
