Gardy hopes Colabello callup will provide spark

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins recalled infielder Chris Colabello from Triple-A Rochester on Friday after optioning three players before the All-Star break. Catcher Chris Herrmann was recalled on Sunday while infielder Doug Bernier had his contract purchased from Rochester on Sunday.

Colabello, 29, is coming off an appearance at the Triple-A All-Star Game on Wednesday when he went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI. The right-handed hitter earned a spot on the International League All-Star team by hitting .354/.432/.652 with 24 homers and 76 RBIs in 85 games for the Red Wings.

Colabello has appeared in seven games over two stints with the Twins this year, batting .125 (2-for-16). He has been named the International League Player of the Week twice this season.

Minnesota opened up a spot for Colabello on Sunday, optioning Oswaldo Arcia, Chris Parmelee and Eduardo Escobar to Rochester. By waiting to promote Colabello, the Twins afforded him the opportunity to play in Wednesday's Triple-A All-Star Game.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said he hopes the roster shakeup will provide a spark for the Twins, who lost 12 of 15 heading into the break.

"Colabello has put up all kinds of numbers, and we're awful left-handed, so he's going to get some swings," Gardenhire said. "And we've already seen what our young catcher can do. He can play left or right, and he can catch, and so we like that. And Bernier has been around. He's only played a few games in the big leagues, but he can pick it."

It marked the second stint with the Twins for Herrmann this year and the first for Bernier, who last appeared in the Majors in '08 with the Rockies.

"It's so exciting," said Bernier, who was hitting .295 in 92 games at Rochester. "This is what you dream about when you're a little kid. This is what I was dreaming about all through the Minor Leagues. It's a good opportunity. It's just special."