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BALTIMORE -- The Twins optioned 24-year-old second baseman Alexi Casilla to the minors Wednesday, calling up infielder Matt Tolbert to replace him.Casilla has struggled offensively this season, hitting .167 over 24 games with just two extra-base hits to his name, but Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire was clear that his demotion was about more than just his troubles at the plate.
"He's not playing the whole game, not running balls out, not doing everything that's involved with being a Minnesota Twin," Gardenhire said, citing two specific examples -- one where Casilla didn't run out a bunt and ended up getting doubled off and another where he ran all the way down to first base with the bat in his hand.
On most teams that kind of poor production and lack of hustle would be handled similarly, but it's especially so with the Twins, who stress fundamentals and doing the little things in every facet of the game perhaps more than any other team.
"There's no excuse [for not hustling]," Gardenhire said. "That part should never be affected."
He went on to describe Casilla as a "wreck" mentally, but remains confident he will return and help the Twins this season.
"I think he's getting so flustered offensively that is just carried over to the whole game," Gardenhire said. "He said he knows he doesn't feel right. He understands that. 'I'm not playing good, and mentally, I'm trying so hard it's not working."
Tolbert, Casilla's replacement, slides in as the regular second baseman for the time being, and if nothing else is going to work hard.
The scouting reports on Tolbert this year described him as "busting his [rear] every day," according to Gardenhire.
He hit .260 in 23 games for Triple-A Rochester this season, but had seven hits in his last 12 at-bats before getting called up.
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