ARLINGTON, TEXAS — Quick lineup post. Updates soon.

Update: Second baseman Alexi Casilla didn’t seem too fazed today when told the Twins had reached agreement on a minor-league deal with veteran second baseman Mark Grudzielanek.

“I didn’t hear that before, but I’m just going to keep playing baseball,” Casilla said. “I’m going to do the best I can and just have fun, try to get better everyday.”

Asked if he remembered Grudzielanek from Kansas City, Casilla said, “I know him. He’s a good guy. And I think he knows me, too.”

Manager Ron Gardenhire didn’t expect Casilla to be upset about the move.

“If Lexi’s worried about that, he’s probably in the wrong place,” Gardenhire said. “Lexi needs to worry about Lexi, and I think that’s what he’s doing. You can’t worry about stuff like that. Who knows how long [Grudzielanek’s] going to have to play [to get ready], a month?”

Gardenhire added: “We’re not going to sign a person just to light a fire under Lexi’s rear. I’m not buying that at all. A veteran out there, who’s looking for a job. We’re hurting for infielders, why not? Take a look, see what he can do. If he can help us down the road, great. But I don’t think we signed him to light a fire under somebody’s rear, and I don’t think that’s why Grudsie would sign here.”

(*) Joe Crede (strained right shoulder) is not in the starting lineup after leaving Saturday’s game in the eighth inning. He’s still day-to-day.

(*) Kevin Slowey (strained right wrist) will throw a bullpen session Monday in Oakland.

Update: Nelson Cruz, who hit his 23rd home run Saturday, was just scratched from tonight’s lineup with a sore finger. David Murphy replaces him in left field, with Andruw Jones moving to right.

TWINS (47-44)

1. Denard Span, LF
2. Alexi Casilla, 2B
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Michael Cuddyer, RF
6. Brendan Harris, 3B
7. Delmon Young, DH
8. Carlos Gomez, CF
9. Nick Punto, SS

Starting pitcher: LH Francisco Liriano (4-9, 5.47 ERA)

RANGERS (48-41)

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. Michael Young, 3B
3. Josh Hamilton, DH
4. Andruw Jones, LF RF
5. Hank Blalock, 3B
6. Marlon Byrd, CF
7. Nelson Cruz, RF David Murphy, LF
8. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
9. Elvis Andrus, SS

Starting pitcher: LH Derek Holland (3-5, 5.97 ERA)

Rangers Ballpark. First pitch: 7:05 p.m. TV: FSN.

ARLINGTON, TEXAS — The Twins have agreed to terms on a minor-league deal with second baseman Mark Grudzielanek, General Manager Bill Smith said today.

The move, first reported at www.sethspeaks.net, gives the Twins another option at second base, though Grudzielanek hasn’t played all season.

Smith said Grudzielanek will report to the Twins’ Gulf Coast League squad in Fort Myers, Fla., and then join one of the Twins’ minor-league affiliates.

Grudzielanek, 39, batted .299 with three home runs and 24 RBI in 86 games for the Royals last season. He has batted .294 or better every year since 2003, and has racked up 2,010 hits over 14 major league seasons, posting a .290 career average.

Grudzielanek was a Type B free agent last offseason, so he wouldn’t have cost teams a first-round draft pick, but apparently didn’t get an offer he liked. (Corrected.) He made $4.5 million last season with the Royals.

“He has a tremendous history over the last seven or eight years,” said Smith, who is following Class A Fort Myers this weekend. “He’s an offensive player. He hasn’t played in the first half. We’ll see how he does.

“We are still hoping Alexi Casilla is going to take the second base job and run with it. That’s our first choice, that he can bring energy and spark our lineup. This gives us another option.”

Casilla, who turns 25 on Monday, is batting .175. He has been sent to Class AAA Rochester twice this season and is 1-for-9 in two games in his latest return.

Twins second basemen — Casilla, Nick Punto, Matt Tolbert — have combined to bat .190 with a .270 on-base percentage and a .242 slugging percentage. Each of those totals rank dead last among 30 MLB teams.Â

ARLINGTON, TEXAS — The new billion-dollar Cowboys Stadium hovers here on the same grounds as Rangers Ballpark, with the Cowboys getting ready to play their home opener in two months.

The thing is so huge, you can’t take your eyes off it. La Velle refers to it as The Death Star. I drove over today and peeked inside, and … well, yeah it looks awesome.

Heading down to the clubhouse now. Updates to come…

Update: Kevin Slowey (strained right wrist) had another pain-free session of catch today, stretching out to about 120 feet. He will throw a bullpen session Monday in Oakland, and then another on Wednesday before going out on a minor-league rehab stint for one or two starts.

Manager Ron Gardenhire inicated Brendan Harris would likely be back in the lineup on Sunday, when the Twins face LHP Derek Holland. Tonight, Nick Punto is at shortstop.

Gardenhire hinted that Delmon Young could start Sunday, as well, but he’s riding the hot hand again tonight with Carlos Gomez. These numbers surprised me today:

Young: .266/.292/.344 (9 extra base hits)
Gomez: .242/.296/374 (17 extra base hits)

Neither player walks much, but Gomez has shown more pop.

Update: Brendan Harris replaced 3B Joe Crede on defense in the eighth. Will let you know if we get an injury update.

Update: Crede left the game with mild irritation of the AC joint in his right shoulder. He is day-to-day.

TWINS (46-44)

1. Denard Span, LF
2. Alexi Casilla, 2B
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Jason Kubel, DH
6. Michael Cuddyer, RF
7. Joe Crede, 3B
8. Carlos Gomez, CF
9. Nick Punto, SS

Starting pitcher: RH Scott Baker (7-7, 4.52 ERA)

RANGERS (48-40)

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. Michael Young, 3B
3. Josh Hamilton, CF
4. Marlon Byrd, RF
5. Hank Blalock, 1B
6. Nelson Cruz, DH
7. David Murphy, LF
8. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
9. Elvis Andrus, SS

Starting pitcher: RH Scott Feldman (8-2, 3.83 ERA)

Rangers Ballpark. First pitch: 7:05 p.m. TV: FSN

ARLINGTON, TEXAS — Three links of note today:

On the former Twins, front, “The legend of mighty Garrett Jones, the Pirates’ 28-year-old natural, is growing by leaps and bounds,” writes Dejan Kovacevic in today’s Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. That’s seven home runs in 12 games, including bookend homers in a 14-inning walkoff victory last night.

Within the division, the Tigers placed RHP Joel Zumaya back on the DL with a sore right shoulder.

Patrick Reusse got a tour of Target Field and called it spectacular. This whole column/blog post is worth the read, but this sums it up:

I was 15 when the Twins played their first game at Met Stadium. I was at that one, and maybe another 800 before the team moved to the Metrodome for the 1982 season. I loved the Met, but I can’t wait to see the smiles on the faces of today’s 15-year-olds when they walk into Target Field next April and say, “This is my ballpark. This is where I’m going to watch my team for the next 40 years.’’

Note: Check back later for tonight’s Twins/Rangers lineups and notes.

ARLINGTON, TEXAS — The digital temperature gauge here at Rangers Ballpark says it’s 93 degrees, yet the locals keep saying how the Twins really caught a break on the weather.

Everything’s relative, I guess. Heard it was 108 on the Rangers’ last homestand.

Alexi Casilla is back in the No. 2 spot tonight, as the Twins return from the All-Star break to play the Rangers.

Brendan Harris is at shortstop, but Manager Ron Gardenhire said he intends to keep Nick Punto in the mix, rotating him in with Harris and Casilla.

Kevin Mulvey will be in the bullpen, available for long relief. His father and several friends have made there way to Texas, anticipating his major league debut.

You can also follow me on Twitter @JoeCStarTribune.

Update: Gardenhire told Casilla, “I hope this is the last day that I have to say, ‘Welcome back. … Make it the last time. Have some fun.’

“He just said OK,” Gardenhire added. “I think he agrees.”

(*) Gardenhire indicated Mulvey’s presence will help the Twins move Bobby Keppel into more of a middle role.

(*) Kevin Slowey (strained right wrist) played catch at 90 feet today and it went well. His next step is another session of catch on Saturday.

TWINS (45-44)

1. Denard Span, LF
2. Alexi Casilla, 2B
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Jason Kubel, DH
6. Michael Cuddyer, RF
7. Joe Crede, 3B
8. Brendan Harris, SS
9. Carlos Gomez, CF

Starting pitcher: LH Glen Perkins

RANGERS (48-39)

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. Michael Young, 3B
3. Josh Hamilton, CF
4. Andruw Jones, DH
5. Hank Blalock, 1B
6. Marlon Byrd, LF
7. Nelson Cruz, RF
8. Taylor Teagarden, C
9. Elvis Andrus, SS

Starting pitcher: RH Vicente Padilla (7-4, 4.53 ERA)

Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. First pitch: 7:05. TV: FSN.