Continued: Twins minor league report: Team keeps faith in Casilla

One of the most disappointing developments of the first half of the Twins' season was the regression of Alexi Casilla.

Casilla was the Opening Day second baseman and batted second in the order, but a series of bad at-bats and mental lapses in the field had him back at Class AAA Rochester in early May. He returned at the end of the month but lasted only 12 games. His return ticket to the minors was punched after he made two fielding mistakes on June 10 at Oakland.

Back at Rochester, Casilla has continued to make mistakes in the field but has played a little better recently. Offense hasn't been the problem, as he was batting .333 with a homer and 12 RBI in 30 games.

The Twins haven't given up on him. General Manager Bill Smith, player personnel head Mike Radcliff and minor league field coordinator Joel Lepel have been to Rochester and talked to Casilla to make sure he understands that he's wanted, he's needed and could be a boost to a team that still needs a No. 2 hitter.

"I talked with Joel Lepel yesterday about what we need to do and where we need to go with him," manager Ron Gardenhire said on Friday. "It's still the same stuff, understanding the game, making routine plays, not fancy plays.

"He's still making a few errors here and there, but he is playing hard."

If the Twins don't trade for a middle infielder, they could give Casilla a look after the All-Star break.

Bam Bam Rams

Catcher Danny Rams was a second-round pick in 2007. He made sure the Twins communications department knew that his nickname was "Bam Bam."

The bam didn't show up his first two seasons as a pro. He hit .258 with no homers for the Gulf Coast League rookie team in 2007 and .228 with five homers last year at Elizabethton.

But this year, Rams is batting .429 with five homers and 18 RBI in their first nine games.

"They ain't been no cheapies,'' joked Jim Rantz, Twins director of minor leagues. "And his catching has improved a lot.''

Etc.

• Third baseman Luke Hughes is expected to be activated from the disabled list soon, but with Danny Valencia playing well at Class AAA Rochester, Hughes might be assigned to Class AA New Britain.

• Class A Fort Myers shortstop Estarlin De Los Santos has nearly recovered from a stress fracture in one of his shins.