We've all heard the shiny Winter Ball reports on Francisco Liriano, which have offered the club a sense of hope that he's regained his swagger and shaken the nerves. Leading the Leones del Escogido to the Dominican League championship, his post season numbers were out of control. In seven playoff starts, he was 3-1 with an incredible 0.49 ERA. But there are many questions surrounding the former phenom heading into this season: are his slider and changeup as devastating as they once were? Does he have the confidence he apparently lacked last season? Is his arm going to fall off again?

Liriano kicked off his big league career with a 12-3 record and minuscule 2.13 ERA as a rookie, hanging right in there with Cy Young award-winning teammate Johan Santana. After missing the entire 2007 season for Tommy John surgery and appearing in just half of the 2008 season, his numbers were anything but flattering last year (5-13, 5.80 ERA). It was hard not to wonder if the lefty had lost his command completely. In fact, it was difficult to watch. He was constantly second-guessing himself on which pitches to throw, that slider was nowhere to be found, and precision seemed to be a thing of the past. He was a mess.

It's understandable that some Twins fans are still skeptical -- I am too -- but that's what spring training is for. He's pitching his heart out in an attempt to prove he can dominate like he used to, and if he can be back to his old self again, he might even be better suited as the ace of the staff rather than the fifth man in the rotation.

During his two scoreless innings Thursday night in the Twins' 8-3 victory over the Baltimore Orioles, Liriano struck out three batters and made a fool of a few others with that sneaky slider. So is he really back, or will he break our hearts again?

Spantastic: Denard Span is turning out to be one of the most exciting leadoff hitters the Twins have seen in quite a while. Over ten spring games, he's sporting a .500 average with a .583 on-base percentage after going 5-for-10 with an RBI, two walks and a stolen base.

Man Muscles: Joe Mauer left in the fourth inning Thursday with a sore shoulder after getting beaned by a foul tip. Ron Gardenhire says it's nothing to worry about, but he's going to let his All-Star catcher rest for a couple days. Please don't panic.

AP, Star Tribune

Juan Portes! The non-roster invitee is absolutely crushing it down in Ft. Myers, going 7-for-10 with seven RBI in six games. The 24-year-old outfielder nailed his third bomb of the spring Thursday night in the form of a two-run shot in the eighth inning, becoming the only Twin with more than one longball so far. Portes is definitely making a statement in his first time at camp.

Bummer: Today's game against the New York Mets has been called due to rain. Yay Spring!

Random Entertainment: Will we get to see some bizarre stuff this season now that Milton Bradley is back in the American League?