Liriano has hitters on heels but will start year in minors

FORT MYERS, FLA. - Twins lefthander Francisco Liriano has proven that he's nearly ready to return to the majors for the first time since September 2006.

Even manager Ron Gardenhire, after watching Liriano strike out seven Pittsburgh batters over five innings Friday, admitted, "He probably could go with us and do as good as a lot of pitchers in this league."

The Twins, however, optioned Liriano to Class A Fort Myers and will have him make two minor league starts before he joins the team. He could debut as early as April 13.

Their goal is to ensure that Liriano, who hasn't pitched in the majors since September 2006 because of elbow surgery, is as sharp as possible. He will also have his stamina built up to 100 pitches by then.

"We'll try to do everything right and go from there," Gardenhire said. "He wants to pitch with us, and you know what? Another step next week and another step after that and we will be right there.

"We're very excited, to tell you the truth, to see him go out and throw like he did today. You saw him spinning up some balls up there, but you also saw some really good stuff."

Righthander Nick Blackburn will start the third game of the Twins' season-opening series against the Los Angeles Angels next week. Livan Hernandez will start the opener and be followed by Boof Bonser, Blackburn and Kevin Slowey. All are righthanders.

Liriano threw 74 pitches in the Twins' 3-1 loss to the Pirates. He gave up a solo home run to Jose Bautista in the second inning (on a high slider) but settled down to hold Pittsburgh to three hits and two walks.

Liriano pitched consistently at 90 to 92 miles per hour, twice hit 93 miles per hour on the radar gun and threw some sliders that the Pirates couldn't handle.

He has 12 strikeouts in nine innings over his past two outings but said after each start that he was prepared to open the season in the minors if needed. "I will do whatever they want me to do," he said before he was told of the decision.

After he learned of the news, he said: "There's nothing I can do about it."

"He probably feels he can pitch with us right now," Gardenhire said, "but he also understands it's not going to hurt him to get another outing or two."

It works out well for Liriano, in one way. He will start for Class A Fort Myers on Thursday, then head to Miami, where his pregnant wife, Johanna, will have labor induced. He will then make an April 8 start for Class AAA Rochester at Norfolk, Va.

"After those two games he should be up to 100 pitches," Gardenhire said, "and we'll bring him with us."

Liriano could be in the Twins rotation as early as April 13 at Kansas City.

It's one less headache for Gardenhire, who has his fingers crossed that righthander Scott Baker, slowed by a strained back muscle and the flu, will be able to pitch in a minor league spring training game Sunday and start Friday at home against the Royals.

"We are still waiting on Baker, to see if he gets through Sunday and is stretched out enough," Gardenhire said. "We'll make sure we don't have any issues there."