Twins place three on disabled list

Minnesota placed infielder Alejandro Machado and outfielder Lew Ford on the 15-day DL. Ptcher Francisco Liriano was put on the 60-day list.

By Staff reports, Star Tribune

Last update: March 24, 2007 - 9:22 AM

The Twins placed infielder Alejandro Machado on the 15-day disabled list before Saturday's game.

Machado, a winter draft from the Boston Red Sox, complained of a sore shoulder before the start of exhibition games. Last week, he was diagnosed with a torn labrum in his right shoulder. A decision will be made this week on whether Machado will need surgery.

The Twins also placed outfielder Lew Ford, sidelined after a knee injury, on the 15-day disabled list.

Pitcher Francisco Liriano, out all season after elbow surgery, was placed on the 60-day disabled list. The move with Liriano will create an opening on the Twins' 40-player roster and presumably will be filled by veteran pitcher Sidney Ponson.

When Machado, 25 next month, recovers from his injury, he must be placed on the Twins' active last for the next 90 days, or be offered back to Boston for $25,000. The same restriction on optioning Machado to the minor leagues would apply next spring, if the shoulder injury would cause him to miss this entire season.

Also Saturday: Randy Choate, a veteran lefthander who was cut by the Twins last season, opted for free agency rather than to accept an assignment to the minor leagues.