Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - The Minnesota Twins demoted pitcher Nick Blackburn to Triple-A Rochester on Friday to make room for newly acquired reliever Matt Capps.

Blackburn, who received a four-year, $14 million contract last March, is 7-7 with a 6.66 earned run average in 18 starts this season. The righty also made one appearance in relief.

Capps was obtained from Washington late Thursday for two prospects, one being highly regarded catcher Wilson Ramos.

The Twins also placed infielder Nick Punto on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to July 29, with a strained left hamstring and recalled infielder Trevor Plouffe from Rochester.

Punto is hitting .251 with one home run and 20 RBI in 80 games.

This is Plouffe's third stint with Minnesota this season. He has played in seven games, batting .130 (3-for-23) with three RBI.

07/30 18:40:43 ET