Liriano decision is delayed by rain

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune

Last update: April 10, 2008 - 9:59 PM

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CHICAGO -- When Thursday's game against the White Sox was rained out, it allowed the Twins to postpone a decision involving Francisco Liriano until Tuesday.

The Twins will slide four starting pitchers back a day, so Livan Hernandez is scheduled to face the Royals tonight in Kansas City, followed by Boof Bonser on Saturday and Nick Blackburn on Sunday.

Scott Baker's next start will come Monday at Detroit. Tuesday's starter is undecided.

Twins General Manager Bill Smith said the plan was for Liriano to remain with Class AAA Rochester and "be prepared to pitch [for the Red Wings] Sunday."

That seemed to leave a door open for the Twins to pull Liriano from that Class AAA start, so he could pitch for the big-league team Tuesday at Detroit.

But since the forecast is iffy in Kansas City and Detroit, the Twins might get another rainout, which would buy them time with Liriano, who has posted a 7.56 ERA in two minor league starts.

Etc.

• Thursday's game was rescheduled for June 9 at 2:05 p.m.

• The Twins lost pitcher Tim Lahey in the Rule 5 draft, but now that he has cleared waivers the Phillies have offered him back to the Twins for $25,000. The Twins are expected to take him back and put him on their Rochester staff.

• Tampa Bay pitcher Matt Garza explained why Twins manager Ron Gardenhire wasn't aware that he was pitching with a nerve problem in his arm last season. "I never said anything," Garza said, adding that he merely told the trainers he was sore.

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