Liriano starts today; rotation spot in play

Last update: March 17, 2008 - 12:59 AM

The Twins have Francisco Liriano lined up to be their No. 2 starter, behind Livan Hernandez, but whether Liriano is ready for that assignment remains uncertain heading into his third spring outing, today against Florida.

Liriano threw 53 pitches in his last start, when he gave up three runs in 12/3 innings against Boston.

Late in that outing, Liriano began to cut loose a bit after purposely holding back earlier in camp. After pitching at about 80 percent force early in camp, he cranked it up to 90 percent or 95 percent, he said.

As for today?

"Probably 100 percent," he said Sunday. "I want to take it easy, but I think it's time to let it go. Nothing hurts. It's just up here [in his head]."

Liriano is 15 months removed from reconstructive elbow surgery, and the Twins have spoken with him about trying to keep his delivery controlled. They have given him the green light, however, to throw with full force.

"It's up to him," manager Ron Gardenhire said.

The Perkins debate

The Twins remain divided on how best to use lefthander Glen Perkins.

One camp thinks Perkins should be in Class AAA Rochester's starting rotation.

The other camp thinks he should be in the big league bullpen.

"I think it's because of his performance -- inconsistencies out of the starting rotation, some pretty good things out of the bullpen, where he comes in and blows some people away," Gardenhire said. "I think that's why there's so much indecision on what he should do."

Gardenhire doesn't think it would hurt Perkins' development to be in long relief, as the 12th man on a 12-man staff.

"That role is probably going to be a guy who gets more innings than he wants," Gardenhire said. "I don't want to take a guy like Perkins to sit there and watch everybody pitch."

Cali sent to minors

The Twins made two more cuts, trimming their spring roster to 40 players.

Carmen Cali, who is out of minor league options, cleared waivers and was sent to Rochester. He pitched 32/3 scoreless innings, but Gardenhire said it was clear he was behind Dennys Reyes as a situational lefty.

Righthander Kevin Mulvey was assigned to the minors after posting a 6.00 ERA in three appearances.

Etc.

• Boof Bonser will start a minor league game Tuesday in Fort Myers, Fla., allowing Phil Humber to make his first start that day, against the Orioles in Fort Lauderdale.

• After taking a line drive off his right knee in his last outing, Jesse Crain pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning Sunday.

• Brian Buscher is in a 1-for-15 skid that has dropped his average to .174.

• Gardenhire said he batted Adam Everett leadoff Sunday to get him more at-bats. Everett went 0-for-4, dropping his average to .192.

Up next

The Twins will wear green jerseys today for a St. Patrick's Day matinee against the Florida Marlins at Hammond Stadium.

JOE CHRISTENSEN

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