Slowey will miss at least next start

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

Last update: April 4, 2008 - 11:14 PM

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Righthander Kevin Slowey, who left his start Thursday after 31/3 innings because of a strained right biceps, will miss his next start and could land on the disabled list as a precaution.

Slowey said he felt fine before Friday's game, but manager Ron Gardenhire said he wants to be careful with the 23-year-old.

Slowey's next turn in the rotation comes Tuesday, which is an off day. Gardenhire could set Slowey up to start April 13 in Kansas City but doesn't want the injury to flare up.

"If it looks like it's going to be an extended time then you start making adjustments,'' Gardenhire said. "We'll hold that spot, see where we are at and bring someone up for a start. Or we could put [Brian] Bass in that role and bring someone else up for the bullpen. I have to look at the roster and see what we could do and go from there.''

Slowey felt some discomfort while throwing a pitch Thursday in the fourth inning of the Twins' loss to the Angels. There's no lingering pain, and there's no pain when he touches the area.

"I don't feel anything,'' Slowey said. "It's almost more frustrating because if you are OK walking around you should fine. But like I said, I'm going to leave it to the doctors. That's what they went to school for. They are going to know exactly what to do.''

Liriano report

Francisco Liriano gave up four runs over five innings on six hits, two walks and six strikeouts for Class A Fort Myers on Thursday in the first of two scheduled minor league outings as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery in 2006.

"He did all right,'' said Jim Rantz, Twins director of minor leagues and a spectator Thursday. "He didn't light it up.''

Liriano's fastball was clocked at 91-93 miles per hour, and he threw plenty of changeups, which suggests he's still trying to get a good feel for the pitch.

Liriano was promoted to Class AAA Rochester's roster on Friday. He's scheduled to pitch against Norfolk on Tuesday, then the Twins will determine if he's ready to be called up or if he needs more time in the minors.

While Gardenhire has said that Slowey's injury has no bearing on Liriano's return it must be pointed out that the two pitched on the same day and Liriano could easily slip into Slowey's start on April 13 if deemed ready.

Flu bug

Second baseman Brendan Harris was scratched from the starting lineup after coming down with the flu. Since spring training, pitching coach Rick Anderson and pitchers Scott Baker and Slowey have been slowed by whatever virus was able to travel with the club from Fort Myers, Fla.

"[Harris] came in today and is not feeling very good,'' Gardenhire said. "He feels kind of weak.''

But Harris wasn't sent home. This is the problem with having a 12-man pitching staff. A manager has only four bench players, so Harris had to stick around just in case he's needed.

Matt Tolbert, who started at shortstop Wednesday, started at second Friday.