Listening to the Twins players talk Sunday, on what was the final contest of 40 in 41 days, it's clear to see that most of them were mentally exhausted. Sure, so much baseball beats up on the players physically, too, but it's the taxing stress of trying to be on your "game" everyday without much of a break that really takes its toll.

For us writers, the stretch wasn't quite so bad. I've had some days off that the players didn't get. But having just finished a stretch of my own that included working 18 games in 20 days, I can get somewhat of a sense of what they mean.

Still, following the finish of what everyone expected to be a daunting task for the team, the Twins stand just 4 1/2 games behind the White Sox in the American League Central race. Not too shabby, considering the onslaught of injuries, the youthfulness of this Twins team and the terrible way that the club started its most recent 10-game road trip.

There are still plenty of challenges that await this Twins club -- including some difficult series on the horizon this week against a talented young Diamondbacks club. But, before we start looking ahead to that, let's dig into this week's edition of the mailbag and find out what's on the minds of Twins fans.

I see the Twins are moving Danny Graves up in the Minors, do they have specific plans to bring him up? It looks to me like they are trying to get him ready for long and/or short relief, stretching him out innings wise at Triple-A Rochester.
-- Blair S., Minot, N.D.

The Twins signed Graves to a Minor League deal during Spring Training and since then, he's moved up through nearly every level -- starting in extended spring training, then on to Class A Fort Myers, Double-A New Britain and finally Triple-A Rochester. When he joined Rochester, the former All-Star closer, who spent the majority of his career with the Reds, moved into a starting role. The plan was to give him more innings to try and work on all of his pitches. No longer throwing in the mid-90s like he did in the prime of his career, Graves has had to learn more on how to pitch. He's had success in the role, going 3-1 with a 3.89 ERA in eight appearances (seven starts).

As for what Graves' future role with the Twins might be, it still would likely be in relief. The Twins haven't been in need for pitchers lately -- in reality, they were dealing with an overabundance of them before designating Juan Rincon for assignment on Thursday. But, Graves has his share of Major League experience and if it looks like he's back to pitching like he can, the right-hander could possibly be a strong option to pitch in long or short relief.

Do you think Twins manager Ron Gardenhire may switch up Carlos Gomez and Alexi Casilla in the 1-2 spot just to see what happens?
-- Nick G., Minneapolis

That issue was actually brought up on the club's recent road trip. With Casilla putting together consistently strong at-bats and his .367 on-base percentage ranking higher than Gomez's .307 OBP, Gardenhire said that he had started to look at possibly flip-flopping the two at the top of the order. But, after looking at it "16,000" ways, Gardenhire said that he couldn't find a good reason why that would work better.

Gomez has been one of those "all or nothing" type players for the team in the leadoff spot. There are times when he looks brilliant laying down bunts and creating havoc on the basepaths, and other times, he's swinging out of his shoes and getting punched out while trying to bunt with two strikes. A No. 2 hitter is supposed to be a bat control guy, and Gardenhire said Gomez is the furthest thing from that. So rather than risk wasting a good at-bat by Casilla with Gomez grounding into a double play, Gardenhire said they'd rather "get his at-bat out of the way" and use him as that dynamic spark in the top spot. So for now, the top of the order will remain the same.

Kelly, Dan Gladden said on June 11 that Mike Lamb is swinging the bat well, although mired in a slump. And that Matt Macri has hit the ball well in his short stint up, but what are the chances the Twins will turn to New Britain's Luke Hughes at third base before the season's up? I see he's hitting .335 with 13 dingers, but also nine errors. No question the Twins are not getting the power from Lamb, Young and Co., as advertised when they were acquired.
-- Phil W., Lawrence, Kan.

Hughes name was brought up earlier this season when the Twins were looking for infielders to call up. But, the consensus within the organization is that he is not ready to make the jump to the Majors. Hughes' production was red hot at the start of the season, but the Australia native has slowed down slightly following a pulled hamstring earlier in the year. He just went on the DL again, and will be out until at least June 20 with a strained groin muscle. So, if Twins fans are going to see Hughes this season, it doesn't appear it will be until September, if the team decides to reward him with a September call up.

As for Lamb, he has been in a slump that is similar to the one he endured during the '05 season with the Astros, which has left him closer to a .200 batting average than his career .277 average. Macri has had some success, but the Twins could be looking at Brian Buscher right now to see how he handles the role. Gardenhire recently stressed that he hasn't given up on Lamb and that the team signed him to be their everyday third baseman. But, the club is also looking for offense and if Buscher can provide it, he could be the lefty spending more time at the hot corner.

With Livan Hernandez pitching so well, I have been reading about some Twins rumors and trades. Is there a chance the Twins would really trade him?
-- Thomas A., Alta, Iowa

Hernandez rocketed off to a hot start this season for the Twins, but that has slowed dramatically over the last month. The crafty right-hander has found his share of troubles in his last five starts, giving up at least five earned runs in each and posting a combined 11.10 ERA over that span.

And those recent struggles by the 10-plus year veteran have made his status in the Twins rotation a bit shaky as well as his potential to be a solid trade trip at this year's trade deadline. Hernandez is signed to just a one-year deal, and could be an intriguing option for contending teams looking for an innings-eater who has playoff and World Series experience. But, while the Twins have young talented pitching in the wings -- perhaps even Francisco Liriano, who is starting to get back on track at Rochester -- the team doesn't have many experienced starters. And the Twins have shown to be hesitant to deal at the deadline if they feel like they are still in contention, a spot they find themselves in now.

What's the status on Zach Day? He's an oft-injured yet talented starter the Twins signed in January to a Minor League deal. I saw him first listed on the Triple-A roster than on the Class A Miracle roster, but now he's on neither. Do the Twins plan on giving him a chance?
-- Joe M., Westwood, N.J.

Day was still battling shoulder problems during spring training and remained at extended Spring Training to try and build back his shoulder strength. Day had undergone rotator cuff surgery in 2006 and went through more shoulder problems in 2007, as well. Unfortunately, he never was able to get that shoulder strength back and in early May, the 29-year-old decided to call it quits after making six appearances for Class A Fort Myers and moved back to his hometown of Cincinnati.