Twins take 3B Brian Buscher off 40-man roster Eds: APNewsNow.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) The Minnesota Twins have moved third baseman Brian Buscher off their 40-man roster and assigned him to Triple-A Rochester.

The move was made Tuesday. Buscher will become a minor league free agent 16 days after the end of the World Series.

Over parts of three seasons, Buscher batted .266 in 436 at-bats with eight home runs and 69 RBIs while going back and forth between the Rochester club and the Twins.

With Joe Crede becoming a free agent this fall following an injury-plagued year, third base is again unsettled for the Twins.

Matt Tolbert and Brendan Harris were the primary options at that position down the stretch while Crede was hurt, and Buscher rarely played. He hit .235 in 136 at-bats this year.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-03-09 1240CST | save this article / add to your favorites list