Liriano doesn't appear ready for return to majors

Francisco Liriano labored through four innings at Rochester, leading his manager in the minors to suggest he start one more time before making the move to the majors.

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune

Last update: April 9, 2008 - 4:09 PM

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CHICAGO — After watching Francisco Liriano labor through four innings on 88 pitches Tuesday night, Class AAA Rochester manager Stan Cliburn said he would recommend one more minor league start before Liriano rejoins the Twins.

Facing Baltimore's top affiliate on a cold, wet night in Norfolk, Va., Liriano gave up three runs on five hits with three walks and three strikeouts.

"I would say maybe one more start here to get a little bit more command, maybe build a little bit more strength," Cliburn said. "That would be my call. Of course, I know it's going to be a group decision.

"His health is good. His strength is good. His mound presence is good. He just pitched backwards, and maybe he just wanted to find out if he could use all his pitches."

The Twins resume a three-game series with the White Sox tonight in Chicago, and Kevin Slowey will test his strained right biceps again with a pregame throwing session.

If Slowey feels any lingering effects, the Twins will need a new starter for Sunday's game at Kansas City. Manager Ron Gardenhire noted Liriano would be right on schedule, depending how he fared Tuesday.

Cliburn said the good news is Liriano was fearless about throwing his slider, a pitch that is believed to have led to the injury, which led to elbow surgery in November 2006.

Liriano threw 18-20 sliders and 18-20 changeups against Norfolk, Cliburn said, but the staff would have preferred more fastballs, especially since those were clocked between 91-94 miles per hour.

Cliburn said shortstop Alexi Casilla's two errors probably cost Liriano about 15 pitches.

"He could have very easily gotten through five [innings]," Cliburn said. "We just didn't make the plays behind him."

Counting Liriano's start Thursday for Class A Fort Myers, he has a 7.56 ERA in two minor league starts.

Chicago's fast start

There was no mistaking the new White Sox swagger as they played their home opener Monday.

Nick Swisher hitting a leadoff double, pumping his fists. Fellow newcomer Orlando Cabrera exchanging high fives after starting a game-ending double play.

With a five-game winning streak, the White Sox are 5-2.

"Early on, I thought talent alone would bring a championship," White Sox GM Kenny Williams said. "And for three or four years, on paper we had the best team in the division.

"There were at least two of those years where Minnesota won the division, and then came out and even said, 'That team there [Chicago] has more talent than us.'

"That really made me rethink some things we're doing."

Williams said he went looking for hard-nosed players who play every day. Swisher and Cabrera are two examples.

"We have a bunch of guys that believe and have fun," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "As long as they can do that for 162 games, a lot of good things can happen."