Nishioka anxious to return to ring

LOS ANGELES — Toshiaki Nishioka said Thursday that after a year without a fight, he is ready to rumble with Nonito Donaire this weekend in their super bantamweight title unification fight.

"I don't care if it's by decision or by knockout," Nishioka, the left-handed WBC champion said at a prefight news conference. "I'm going to win."

"I've been able to study him more (because of my layoff). I'm more motivated. I'm even enjoying this more. I'm going to concentrate and execute my plan and never let up for even an instant."

Filipino Donaire, the WBO champion, revealed that he had injured his left index finger playing basketball but that he would be in perfect fighting trim on Saturday.

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Twins' Nishioka set to begin rehab

Oakland Calif. — Minnesota Twins second baseman Tsuyoshi Nishioka, who is recovering from a fractured left fibula, will have to play at least 10 games in the minor leagues to get ready, manager Ron Gardenhire said Wednesday.

According to the club's trainer, the 26-year-old major league rookie performed sprinting drills the same day in Fort Myers, Florida, and his recovery looks on track.

Gardenhire has not decided whether to play Nishioka at second base or shortstop when he returns.

Nishioka broke his left leg on a hard slide by Nick Swisher while attempting to turn a double play in the seventh inning of a 4-3 loss to the New York Yankees on April 7.

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