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Twins Scratch Nishioka Because Of Back Spasms

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Minnesota Twins shortstop Tsuyoshi Nishioka has been taken out of the team's lineup because of back spasms.

Nishioka was slated to bat ninth Saturday against the New York Yankees. The Twins announced the change about an hour before first pitch. Matt Tolbert was inserted at shortstop in his place.

Nishioka's first season with the Twins has been rough. He is hitting just .217 with five extra-base hits in 203 at-bats, plus 10 errors. He missed 59 games after breaking his lower left leg in the first week of the season. He was the batting champion in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball last year.

Second base umpire Brian O'Nora also was declared out for the game due to a personal medical matter, leaving a three-man crew to work the game.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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