Hughes has MRI on right shoulder; won't be game ready for 3-4 weeks

Twins infielder Luke Hughes had an MRI exam today in Minnesota and was diagnosed with a sprained right shoulder.

The Twins estimate that he'll need three to four weeks before he's ready to start playing games again. Their Grapefruit League opener is three weeks from Saturday, against Tampa Bay.

"The timing's about right," Twins General Manager Terry Ryan said. "So this is encouraging."

Hughes, 27 injured himself in a home-plate collision while playing for the Perth Heat in the Australian winter league semifinals. He batted .223 with seven home runs and 30 RBI in 96 games for the Twins last year and is expected to compete for a bench role during spring training.

Casilla update

The Twins are trying to avoid an arbitration hearing with second baseman Alexi Casilla. He asked for a $1.75 million salary and the Twins offered $1.065 million. The sides cannot disclose when a potential hearing would take place, but all of baseball's arbitration hearings are scheduled to be heard by Feb. 21.

"We hope to get a settlement," Ryan said.

Programming note

Fox Sports North will be airing this year's Diamond Awards dinner several times in coming days, starting tonight at 7 p.m., on Fox Sports North Plus. (Click here to see what channel FSN+ is on the various cable providers). Tune in to see Tom Kelly's reaction when the Twins announced they'd be retiring No. 10.