No surgery planned for Liriano

Twins lefthander Francisco Liriano will not have surgery on his left elbow, opting for rehabilitation that hopefully will get him ready for the 2007 season.

By La Velle E. Neal III, Star Tribune

Last update: September 26, 2006 - 8:06 AM

The Twins have decided, for now, that lefthander Francisco Liriano will not have surgery on his left elbow, opting for rehabilitation that hopefully will get him ready for the 2007 season.

General Manager Terry Ryan said the decision was made recently after conferring with the team's medical staff. Noted Alabama surgeon Dr. James Andrews also had input.

Liriano, 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA, will be put on a six-week rehab program. But no one believes surgery is needed right now.

"We are going to put him through rehab and get him ready for next season," Ryan said.

Ryan stressed that all that's wrong with the elbow is a mild strain of the ulnar collateral ligament. During Liriano's 28-pitch comeback attempt on Sept. 13, he told teammates and staff that he felt a pop in the elbow. Team officials now believe there was never a pop.

Ryan did not rule out the possibility of surgery down the road if Liriano has a setback. For now, the club believes that Liriano, who first went down with a sore elbow on Aug. 7, just needs strengthening exercises.

"[Not having surgery is] dependent on him losing the soreness and him making progress," Twins physician Dr. John Steubs said. "He will be re-evaluated at any time if it looks like something is not progressing the way we want it to."

Radke's next step

Righthander Brad Radke climbed on the bullpen mound at 4:03 p.m. in the latest test of his right shoulder. At 4:13 p.m., he walked off with an answer.

"The ball felt good out of my handm and I felt strong," Radke said. "So hopefully what I've been doing is going to work."

Radke, who hasn't pitched in a game since Aug. 25, is gearing up for a return to the rotation. If he doesn't feel more soreness than usual today, he will be given a start this week. Thursday against Kansas City is possible, but the Twins weren't ready to go that far until they evaluate him today.

"He threw really good," pitching coach Rick Anderson said. "Great arm action."

Radke, 12-9 with a 4.46 ERA, is not viewing this week as a chance to get a couple of curtain calls before he retires after the season. He wants a spot in the postseason rotation.

"Of course, man," Radke said. "That's what I'm trying to get to."

His stamina is unknown. He hopes to throw 50-55 pitches if he gets the ball this week. That would put him on pace to throw 70-75 pitches his next time out.

"It's unfortunate we don't have two weeks to get him three starts," Anderson said.

Manager Ron Gardenhire remains a little amazed Radke could come back from a stress fracture but wouldn't count him out.

"I know if you've got Brad Radke and he goes out and pitches before the playoffs and throws the living fire out of the ball, then I would think you would look at it to see if he could help you out," Gardenhire said. "Chances are that he could."

White scratched

Rondell White was scratched from Monday's lineup because of a sore left hamstring. "I better take one or two days now instead of hurting it more and missing the playoffs," said White, batting .360 over his past 17 games.

White is expected to be the everyday left fielder in the playoffs. White says he's more comfortable in the outfield than at designated hitter, and his .322 average as an outfielder compared with .195 as a DH supports it.

La Velle E. Neal III • lneal@startribune.com

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