Jayson Stark’s note that the Twins have been calling around, looking for a taker for Boof Bonser makes sense, considering the roster dilemma I explained in my last post. We have not heard anything about Rich Aurilia, however. Frankly, I’d be surprised if that happened.

Updates to come…

Update (3:48 p.m.): Michael Cuddyer has stepped into the batting cage on the field for early batting practice. This is a significant development.

Heard in the clubhouse yesterday that Cuddyer might try to get out on a rehab assignment by Friday with an eye toward returning to the Twins during next week’s road trip.

I didn’t think that was possible, but he is out there swinging now with decent authority.

Update (3:55 p.m.): The Tigers traded Pudge to the Yankees for RHP Kyle Farnsworth. The path to LaTroy Hawkins just got easier for the Twins.

White Sox (59-46)

1. Orlando Cabrera, SS

2. A.J. Pierzynski, C

3. Carlos Quentin, LF

4. Jermaine Dye, RF

5. Jim Thome, DH

6. Paul Konerko, 1B

7. Nick Swisher, CF

8. Alexei Ramirez, 2B

9. Josh Fields, 3B

Starting pitcher: RH Gavin Floyd

Twins (59-47)

1. Denard Span, RF

2. Nick Punto, 2B

3. Joe Mauer, C

4. Justin Morneau, 1B

5. Jason Kubel, DH

6. Delmon Young, LF

7. Brian Buscher, 3B

8. Brendan Harris, SS

9. Carlos Gomez, CF

Starting pitcher: RH Livan Hernandez

Metrodome. First pitch: 7:10 p.m.

If the Twins trade for a second baseman to replace the injured Alexi Casilla, it won’t be Baltimore’s Brian Roberts, according to a person familiar with the situation.

The Twins talked to the Orioles about Roberts last winter, but this month, the O’s have told teams he’s not available.

As for the Kansas City’s Mark Grudzielanek, I’m not sure if the Twins will make a run at him or not.

For bullpen help, LaTroy Hawkins remains a distinct possibility. To make room for him, or any reliever, Twins might have to part with Boof Bonser or Brian Bass, who are out of options.

Two National League scouts have told me there is no doubt that Bonser would get claimed if the Twins tried to pass him through waivers. Teams with pitching issues (Rangers, Pirates, Royals, etc.) would take a chance on him turning it around at age 26. And Twins remain generally pleased with Bass, who has had ups and downs as a rookie.

Twins may or may not make a move, but I do know GM Bill Smith, assistant GM Rob Antony, senior adviser Terry Ryan and pro scouting coordinator Vern Followell have been huddled at the Metrodome all week. I’m sure there are countless scenarios we’re not hearing about, but we’ll continue to keep you posted.

Note: The non-waiver trade deadline is Thursday at 3 p.m. The madness won’t end there, however. Not even close. Teams will get many players through waivers in August, and the rumor mill will start churning again.

Update (12:20 p.m.): Great note passed along by Bob Dutton, of the Kansas City Star: The Twins are the only team with which the Royals have never completed a trade.

The Twins placed second baseman Alexi Casilla on the disabled list tonight after he was diagnosed with a torn tendon in his right thumb.

To replace him on the roster they activated Adam Everett from the DL.

Yes, there were reports earlier that the Twins had designated Everett for assignment. They actually gave him a contemplative outright assignment form, and he had three days to decide whether to accept it.

Tonight, they called to tell him they needed him back.

But the bad news is Casilla could be lost for the season, depending on the severity of the tendon damage. He will be re-examined on Wednesday.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said it’s a similar injury to the one infielder Matt Tolbert sustained in May. Tolbert had surgery and has yet to return.

“Tough break for us there,” Gardenhire said. “Kind of sad for Lexi. We’ll see what the doctors say tomorrow. He’s going to determine what that next step is.”

Casilla is batting .313. The Twins are 38-25 since May 19, when he took over the starting second base job.

Heading over to the ballpark after working the phones today. Nothing Earth shattering to report, but a couple tidbits:

(*) The Twins are competing with the Tigers for LaTroy Hawkins. Lots of bullpen issues for the Tigers and they were interested in signing him last winter.

(*) La Velle and I have spoken to different Dodgers people who say they have no interest in Adam Everett. At least not in a trade. Team had a meeting this month to discuss shortstop options, and listed Cristian Guzman (before he signed his latest deal), Jack Wilson and Ronny Cedeno. Everett’s name didn’t come up.

Updates to come…

Update (3:20 p.m.)

(*) I was on Charley Steiner’s radio show (”The Baseball Beat,” XM 175) today, when the earth started shaking all around him. Turns out, Southern California was hit by an earthquake today — magnitude 5.4 — but Charlie’s OK.

(*) Ben Revere has missed the past three games at Class A with an ankle injury. Was told it wasn’t serious on Sunday, but he has yet to return to the lineup. Benny, of course, is batting .399.

(*) Anthony Swarzak has been promoted to Class AAA Rochester and will make his first start for the Red Wings on Wednesday at Pawtucket.

(*) Was told Charley Steiner’s quote when they came back for the next segment was, “Joe Christensen shook the ground with his words.”

Well, I do have that effect.

The Twins are interested in bringing back reliever LaTroy Hawkins, who was designated for assignment by the Yankees this past weekend, two people with knowledge of the situation told the Star Tribune.

Hawkins, 35, went 1-1 with a 5.41 ERA in 33 appearances for the Yankees, who designated him after trading for Pittsburgh’s Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte.

Though Hawkins has struggled, the Twins apparently aren’t the only team interested in getting him, as several teams are searching for middle relief help.

Hawkins is making $3.75 million this season, and any team that trades for him would be on the hook for the remaining $1.35 million. The Yankees currently have 10 days to trade him or send him through waivers. (Note, updated those salary numbers after seeing Hawkins’ contract numbers again.)

If the Yankees can’t work a trade, he’d become a free agent, and another team would be able to sign him for about $140,000, with the Yankees on the hook for the rest of his salary. But because several teams are looking for relief help, there’s a belief the Yankees will make a trade soon.

The Yankees might be willing to add cash toward Hawkins’ salary or take on another team’s unwanted contract.

One person close to Hawkins believes he would like to return to Minnesota, where he pitched from 1995 to 2003. Hawkins emerged as a dominant setup man, posting a 2.13 ERA in 2002 and 1.86 ERA in 2003.

Since then, Hawkins has struggled with the Cubs, Giants, Orioles and Yankees. But last year, he posted a 3.42 ERA in 62 appearances with the Rockies, helping them reach the World Series. There’s a belief that Hawkins is simply more comfortable when pitching for a smaller-market club.

When he faced the Twins on Wednesday, his fastball touched 95 miles per hour. With Pat Neshek injured, the Twins have been looking for help in getting the ball from their starters to closer Joe Nathan, just like Hawkins used to provide when the closer was Eddie Guardado.