BREAKING NEWS: Twins lefthander Francisco Liriano has been removed from tonight's game after giving up four runs over three innings.

Liriano had to be checked on by team trainers during the third inning when he needed a few moments in the middle of an intentional walk to Miguel Cabrera but finished the inning.

He gave up four runs on on three hits and three walks.

We're waiting to hear more details about why he was removed from the game. His line was bad but the pause in action in the third inning might have had something to do with it.

Liriano gave up a two-run homer to Jhonny Peralta in the second inning, the first hit off of him in 10.1 innings.

Brian Duensing has replaced Liriano.

Back to pre-game programming....

Both American League co-players of the week are in the house tonight, as Francisco Liriano and Detroit's Justin Verlander will be in opposing dugouts. Verlander will not face the Twins during this short two-game series, as lefty Phil Coke will start against the Twins on Wednesday.

Thanks to @CarlBleich, (a Fort Myers resident) Delmon Young was 4-for-5 with four singles and two runs in an extended spring training game today.

It's overcast and the forecast calls for scattered storms...overnight. The current radar doesn't show any immediate threat of storms. That could always change.

UPDATE: Joe Mauer hit off flip throws from hitting coach Joe Vavra, threw and ran in the outfield in his first on-field activity in weeks. He said he felt better but gave no hints as to when he will be able to take regular batting practice or even head to Florida for a rehab assingment.

``I wish I knew when I would be back," he said, ``I don't like these little press conferences. I like all you guys but I wish I was out there playing and helping the team out."

Mauer made it clear that he plans to come back when he's ready to catch every day and not come back quickly just to DH.

``I would think that's what they would want me to do. That's what I want to do," he said. ``And it's May. You come back and DH and you try to do things before you're ready to go and you're back to where I was a couple of weeks ago. That's definitely what we don't want to do."

Tigers (18-18)

1. Austin Jackson, CF
2. Scott Sizemore, 2B
3. Magglio Ordonez, RF
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Victor Martinez, DH
6. Jhonny Peralta, SS
7. Brennan Boesch, LF
8. Brandon Inge, 3B
9. Alex Avila, C

Pitching: Rick Porcello, RHP

Twins (12-21)

1. Denard Span, CF
2. Matt Tolbert, SS
3. Jason Kubel, DH
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Danny Valencia,3B
6. Michael Cuddyer, RF
7. Ben Revere, LF
8. Rene Rivera, C
9. Luke Hughes, 2B

Pitching: Francisco Liriano, LHP