Lefthander Francisco Liriano has a slightly sore shoulder and did not throw his scheduled bullpen session today.

Liriano said the shoulder began to bother him during his final preparations for spring training. He estimated that he's thrown about 12 bullpen sessions since the New Year.

He didn't seem concerned about the development. Neither did Twins manager Ron Gardenhire.

``Liriano came in a little sore," Gardenhire said, ``He's been throwing bullpens. He came up sore a few days ago. We got a call last night. The doctors checked him out here.

``A little tendinitis. Just back him off a little bit and go from there. It happens in the winter when the guys are throwing on their own and get ready for spring training."

Liriano will be re-examined in a couple of days.

Joe Mauer did very little as well. He's coming off of knee surgery, and Gardenhire indicated that Mauer is still slightly sore following surgery. So they will take it easy with him.

``We're trying to back him off and not make him do all the bullpen and all that stuff right now," Gardenhire said.