Casilla's future unclear
by The Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS -- The immediate future is unclear for Twins second baseman Alexi Casilla (kah-SEE'-yah).

Casilla will meet with a hand specialist before it's decided whether he'll have surgery on a torn tendon in his right thumb.

Casilla told reporters he was already resigned to missing the rest of the year, but the team isn't ready to make that declaration.

The switch-hitter has been a big part of the Twins' recent surge. Minnesota is 38-25 since he took over as the starting second basemen, and he's batting .313 with 38 runs, 19 extra-base hits and 39 RBIs.