MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Twins shortstop Nick Punto was sent back to the 15-day disabled list on Thursday with a strained left hamstring, and Minnesota pulled rookie infielder Matt Macri off a plane to fill the spot.
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Macri was optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday to make room for the return of starting pitcher Scott Baker. Macri was aboard a flight, but the Twins got approval from Major League Baseball to recall him and waive the 10-day requirement for stays in the minors.
Punto came off the DL on Saturday and aggravated the injury in the game that night. On Thursday, he went 2-for-3 with two doubles and a walk. He helped turn a double play and had five putouts and four assists.
But in the ninth inning against Baltimore closer George Sherrill, Punto's hit into the left-field corner might have gone for a triple if he able to run full speed. He was stranded at second, and the Twins lost 3-2.
"We can't play like that. He can't play like that. He knows it," manager Ron Gardenhire said.
Said Punto: "It was one of those things where I know it was still sore. I just didn't know how bad it was. I put the manager in a bind. I know he doesn't have many other guys."
The Twins currently have 13 pitchers and only three bench players. In the eighth on Thursday, pitcher Kevin Slowey was chosen to pinch run for catcher Mike Redmond.
"You just have to do what you have to do," Gardenhire said.
