The Minnesota Twins have acquired shortstop J.J. Hardy from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for outfielder
Carlos Gomez.

The move, announced Friday, relieves a crowded outfield for the Twins, who also have Delmon Young, Denard Span and Michael Cuddyer. The 27-year-old Hardy batted .229 with 11 home runs and 47 RBI in 115 games for the Brewers in 2009. A 2007 All-Star, he is just the third shortstop in Brewers' history to hit more than 20 home
runs in a season twice (Robin Yount and Jose Hernandez).

He has a career batting average of .262 with 75 home runs and 265 RBI in 571 games.

The 23-year-old Gomez was acquired by the Twins from the New York Mets last year. He batted .229 with three home runs and 28 RBI in 137 games with the Twins last season.