I think he's a big tall guy that has back issues and even when he's in a groove has a lot of swing and miss in his game. He obviously is closer to a Moncada type player than say Quero. What I mean is that some guys take walks because they don't like to swing very often, other guys take walks because they like to only swing at good pitches. Big difference especially when you get to levels were pitchers can control the zone against a batter.
As to the move itself, it's a good one. This is something they should be doing more often when guys are struggling this bad. Let them refresh, get some time with a GF or family and a hitting coach pumping them up against relative scrubs on the back fields for a week or so. It can't hurt.