Tsuyoshi Nishioka has officially signed with the Hanshin Tigers of Japan's Central League.

Nishioka forfeited the final $3.25 million left on his contract with the Twins in order to head back home. The 28-year-old hit a pathetic .215/.267/.236 during his time in the states.

According to Sankei Sports in Japan, Tsuyoshi Nishioka has "agreed in principle" to a deal with the Hanshin Tigers of Japan's Central League.

Nishioka was released by the Twins last week after agreeing to forfeit the $3.25 million left on his contract. The 28-year-old compiled a disappointing .215/.267/.236 batting line in 71 games with the Twins while playing terrible defense. He previously played eight seasons with the Chiba Lotte Marines of Japan's Pacific League.

Twins released INF Tsuyoshi Nishioka.

The release was granted at Nishioka's request, and, most importantly for the Twins, the 28-year-old has agreed to forfeit the $3.25 million he has left on his contract. Nishioka was a massive disappointment in Minnesota, batting just .215/.267/.236 in 71 games over two seasons while playing erratic defense. He now seems likely to return to Japan.

Twins sent INF Tsuyoshi Nishioka outright to Triple-A Rochester.

Like the situation with Nick Blackburn, the move clears Nishioka from the 40-man roster. It also means that he cleared waivers. The 28-year-old infielder has been a huge bust stateside, posting a .215/.267/.236 batting line in 254 plate appearances while committing 14 errors. He's still owed $3 million next season while his contract includes a $4 million club option for 2014 or a $250,000 buyout.

Twins optioned INF Tsuyoshi Nishioka to Triple-A Rochester.

That didn't last long. The Twins called Nishioka up from the minors on August 5 to give him another shot, but he went 0-for-12 in three games and looked awful on defense. He's a complete bust at this point. Trevor Plouffe (thumb) was activated from the 15-day disabled list in a corresponding 25-man roster move.

Tsuyoshi Nishioka is starting at second base and batting seventh Monday against the Indians.

Nishioka was called up from the minors on Sunday after Danny Valencia was traded to the Red Sox. The 28-year-old had a terrible .527 OPS with the Twins last season and was hitting just .245/.309/.301 at the Triple-A level this year, so he isn't worth owning in fantasy leagues, even if he ends up getting semi-regular playing time.

Twins recalled INF Tsuyoshi Nishioka from Triple-A Rochester.

He's taking the roster spot of Danny Valencia, though he won't actually join the team until Monday. It's a surprise given that Nishioka has done little to deserve another shot, batting just .245/.309/.301 over 84 games at Triple-A. He'll function as a backup infielder.

Twins optioned INF Tsuyoshi Nishioka to Triple-A Rochester.

It's a surprising move, but the Triple-A level is exactly where Nishioka belongs. The 27-year-old Japanese infielder batted just .226/.278/.249 in 240 plate appearances last year and was 6-for-25 with one extra-base hit this spring. He's owed $3 million in each of the next two seasons.

Buster Olney of ESPN.com reports that "multiple talent evaluators" have said Tsuyoshi Nishioka "just looks really lost this spring, in his hitting and in his defense."

So, evidently nothing has changed since last season. Nishioka entered camp in competition for a bench role, but it's looking like he'll start the year at Triple-A. He's owed $3 million each of the next two years and it doesn't appear he'll be ridding himself of the "bust" label anytime soon.

Tsuyoshi Nishioka (finger) is expected to start at shortstop on Wednesday.

Nishioka hasn't played since Friday due to a sprained left pinkie finger. The 27-year-old is batting .278 (5-for-18) this spring as he battles for a backup infielder job.

Twins general manager Terry Ryan said Thursday that Tsuyoshi Nishioka could see time at third base this spring as he prepares for a utility role.

Ryan recently acknowledged that Nishioka could start the season at Triple-A, but adding some versatility to his resume could help his chances of being useful at the major league level. The 27-year-old batted just .226/.278/.249 with zero homers, 19 RBI and a .527 OPS over 240 plate appearances in his first year stateside.

La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune thinks the only way that Tsuyoshi Nishioka will make the Opening Day roster "is if there's an injury or he's 10 times the player he was last year."

Twins GM Terry Ryan acknowledged Thursday that the Japanese import could start the year at Triple-A, and it sounds like that might be his most likely destination. Though he's set to make $3 million, Neal notes that Nishioka can't be counted on as a pinch hitter or defensive replacement, so he doesn't really make sense as a bench player and will be better off playing regularly at Triple-A. The 27-year-old is coming off a rookie season where he batted just .226/.278/.249.

Twins GM Terry Ryan acknowledged Thursday that Tsuyoshi Nishioka could land at Triple-A this year.

Nishioka is due a salary of $3 million in each of the next two seasons, but he batted just .226/.278/.249 in his first taste of the majors last year while showing very little potential on defense. The Twins are far from loaded in the middle infield so he should crack the Opening Day roster. But Nishioka might ultimately prove to be nothing more than a minor league-level player.

New Twins general manager Terry Ryan said that while he wants to get another look at Tsuyoshi Nishioka, the team probably doesn't have a starting shortstop on the roster.

It's essentially the same thing recently departed GM Bill Smith said last month. Nishioka is due $3 million each of the next two seasons, so he's guaranteed a spot on the roster, but after posting a .226/.278/.249 batting line in his first season in the states, he'll have to really turn things around in order to regain a starting spot.

Twins general manager Bill Smith said Tuesday that he is open to all options at shortstop next season, including the possibility of going outside the organization.

"We've gotta figure out shortstop, and that may involve going out and getting another shortstop," said Smith. "We've got [Alexi] Casilla, we've got [Trevor] Plouffe, we've got [Tsuyoshi] Nishioka -- we've gotta find somebody that can be a stable, starting everyday shortstop." The Twins had a stable shortstop in J.J. Hardy, but traded him to the Orioles to clear the way for Nishioka, who was a major disappointment in his first season stateside. The Twins still owe Nishioka $3 million next season, $3 million in 2013 and either a $4 million club option or $250,000 buyout in 2014.

Twins placed INF Tsuyoshi Nishioka on the 15-day disabled list with strained oblique.

It's simply a procedural move, as the Twins ruled Nishioka out for the season over a week ago. He wound up with a hideous .226/.278/.249 batting line in his first season in the states.

The Twins will give Tsuyoshi Nishioka an offseason training program in order to get him in the best possible shape.

In particular, they think he needs to add some upper body strength. "His upper body is not as strong as I think it can be," Gardenhire said. "He can gain upper-body strength, and that is going to help him with his swing. (Twins' strength and conditioning coordinator) Perry (Castellano) has a good program written up for him, and I know Nishioka [already] has a good program over there." It's certainly worth a shot, as Nishioka's .226/.278/.249 batting line in his first season can't get much worse.

Tsuyoshi Nishioka (oblique) will be shut down for the rest of the season.

His miserable rookie season has reached a fittingly miserable end. Nishioka, 27, batted just .226/.278/.249 with zero homers, 19 RBI and a .527 OPS over 240 plate appearances in his first year stateside. The Twins still owe him $3 million next season, $3 million in 2013 and either a $4 million club option or $250,000 buyout in 2014.

Tsuyoshi Nishioka (oblique) is not ready to return to the lineup yet.

Nishioka is feeling better and could be available to pinch-run, but he hasn't progressed far enough to return to the starting lineup. He's been dealing with an oblique issue since late August.

Tsuyoshi Nishioka is still dealing with his oblique injury.

Nishioka was in Friday's lineup after sitting out five games, but he was on the bench again Saturday because Twins manager Ron Gardenhire thought he "didn't look right, especially swinging right-handed. I'm really worried about that ribs thing." It's not clear when the Japanese import might return to the lineup, but we hope you're not relying on him for fantasy purposes, anyway.