Liriano tests elbow in BP session

The lefthander said he felt good after facing three hitters. Pitching coach Rick Anderson hopes to get him in a game by week’s end.

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

Last update: March 2, 2008 - 10:07 PM

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FORT MYERS, FLA. – Twins lefthander Francisco Liriano huffed and puffed as he entered the clubhouse following a training run on Sunday. He went to his stall, sat down, then put his head down for a moment.

It had been a busy but important morning for Liriano. His run followed an encouraging batting practice session that moved him within days of appearing in a spring training game.

When he raised his head, up came a big smile.

“I was just getting comfortable, throwing in the bullpen,’’ he said. “Throwing BP, I was getting better and I’m very excited.’’

After throwing batting practice that elicited a bunch of “attaboys’’ from observers, Liriano will throw batting practice on Tuesday, then make his spring training debut either Thursday or Friday.

It will be his first game against major league opponents since September 2006, when an elbow injury led to Tommy John surgery.

“Then we’ll start building [for the season],’’ Twins pitching coach Rick Anderson said.

Liriano’s arrival at training camp was delayed a week because of screening required before he could be issued a visa. The extra screening was required because of his 2006 arrest in Cape Coral, Fla., for drunken driving.

The Twins, concerned that Liriano would push himself too hard early on, asked him to hold back during two bullpen sessions.
That wasn’t the case on Sunday as he faced Brendan Harris, Eli Whiteside and Drew Butera.

Liriano grunted at times as he threw fastballs. He threw many changeups as he tried to regain his feel for the pitch. And he broke off several sliders. His command was better than it was during the bullpen sessions.

“The slider, sometimes I hang it,’’ he said. “I just have to work on it, that’s all.’’

Few balls were put into play during the 12-minute session.

Harris said he just wanted to stand in and watch pitches — apparently fearing that something bad would happen if he swung.
Anderson, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire and other coaches watched from various points around the batting cage. Catcher Joe Mauer watched for a while while standing behind a screen in short center field.

“That was outstanding,’’ Anderson said. “He’s not a great practice guy, he’s more of a game guy.

“And watching him get after it was pretty encouraging. He felt good, and that’s good.’’

Afterward, Liriano asked Anderson if his changeup motion looked the same as his fastball motion. It was just normal banter between a pitcher and coach — with no questions about his elbow.

“We’d like to get one more batting practice in, and he’s good with that,’’ Anderson said. “See hitters one more time and talk about finishing pitches. Hopefully, Thursday or Friday, we will get him in a game.’’

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