Finger keeps Casilla from lineup

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune

Last update: July 4, 2008 - 11:23 PM

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Twins second baseman Alexi Casilla was scratched from Friday's lineup because of soreness in his left middle finger and did not play in the team's 12-3 victory over Cleveland.

"Halfway through the game, his finger was feeling great," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "Hopefully he'll be back out there [today], and we can move guys around again."

Casilla first injured the finger June 27 but played with the middle finger taped to his index finger through Wednesday's game, maintaining his .325 batting average.

Casilla iced the finger five or six times on Thursday's off day, he said. But he woke up Friday to more swelling and had trouble getting the finger loose before the game.

"I'm kind of mad," Casilla said. "The guy pitching [Paul Byrd] -- I don't have any hits off him, and I wanted to get four hits."

Scratch that plan

Gardenhire had planned to play Brendan Harris at third base today and Sunday, with the Twins facing Cleveland lefthanders Aaron Laffey and Cliff Lee.

"That went out quick," Gardenhire said. "I was talking to [Harris] when the trainer came in [with the Casilla news]. And then I told [Harris], 'Forget it. I was just kidding.' "

But when Casilla felt better mid-game, it re-opened the possibility that Harris will move to third base, where he has played only 15 times in his major league career. Gardenhire said Harris is open to anything that keeps him in the lineup.

Lamb getting antsy

Gardenhire spent time during batting practice talking to Mike Lamb, who has not started at third base since June 13.

Lamb batted .063 (2-for-32) in June, and Brian Buscher took his job.

It's been tough for Lamb in the first year of his two-year, $6.6 million contract.

"He's a little frustrated, trying to find out where he's going to be and what he's going to do," Gardenhire said. "It's not easy for him. He came over here to play. He loves the team, he likes the way we're winning ballgames, but you know, he wants to play."

Lamb, who delivered a pinch-hit single Friday, will get spot duty at first and third base, Gardenhire said. With Michael Cuddyer on the disabled list, Lamb is the backup first baseman behind Justin Morneau.

Gardenhire said Morneau might get a chance to DH in an upcoming day game, and Lamb would move to first base.

After today, five of the Twins' final eight games before the All-Star break are afternoon games.

Another signing

The Twins signed University of Miami pitcher Carlos Gutierrez, the 27th overall pick in last month's draft. They have signed 14 of their top 15 picks.

They continue to follow Major League Baseball's recommended slotting for each signing bonus. Gutierrez, who will report to Class A Fort Myers, received about $1.25 million, after the Twins gave outfielder Aaron Hicks (No. 14 overall) $1.78 million and pitcher Shooter Hunt (No. 31 overall) $1.08 million.

Borowski out

Joe Borowski, who led the American League with 45 saves in 2007, was designated for assignment by the Indians on Friday. Borowski is 1-3 with a 7.56 ERA this season, having blown four of his 10 save opportunities.

Look ahead

The Twins are scheduled to face Red Sox pitchers Daisuke Matsuzaka, Jon Lester and Josh Beckett when they visit Fenway Park for a three-game series beginning Monday.