By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

KANSAS CITY — Nick Punto has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a right hip flexor strain, the Twins announced today.

Punto, who was named the Twins starting third baseman just before the season started, has been battling a sore groin muscle and has not played since April 15. He was hoping that the injury would heal with some rest, but he said it’s been in a “stalemate” last four days so the decision was made to place him on the DL.

“It was one of those things where I thought it would be just a few days,” Punto said. “We’ve gone seven days and it hasn’t made a whole lot of progress.”

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–Punto is headed back to Minnesota on Saturday to get an MRI done on the area and make sure there is nothing more serious. In nine games this season, Punto is batting .269 with two doubles, a triple and an RBI. With Punto sidelined, Brendan Harris has taken over as the starter at third base.

Punto will be placed on the DL retroactive to Apr, 16, so he could return
May 1.

To replace Punto on the roster, the Twins
will recall infielder Luke Hughes from Triple-A Rochester. Hughes hit .267 with eight doubles in 12 games
for the Red Wings and will join the team on Saturday.