"Francisco Liriano wasn't in camp for more than a few hours Friday before becoming the center of attention. Already sought by reporters eager to ask about an offseason trade rumor, he made additional news by immediately declaring that his left shoulder is sore.

"Feels a little bit tight," he said. "Nothing big, it's just real tight."

Manager Ron Gardenhire and pitching coach Rick Anderson were quick to throw water on the fire. Team doctors, they said, are not concerned.

"Whatever it is — a little tendinitis or whatever — (we'll) just back him off a little bit and go from there," Gardenhire said.

Liriano said he has been throwing since Dec. 10 but didn't experience much soreness until after throwing his last bullpen session Monday. He called the soreness normal.

"I just want to make sure I do things (right)," he said. "I didn't stretch that much. I was just playing catch and working out. I think I'll do some more stretching."

Anderson said early soreness in spring training is par for any pitcher.

"If it was the latter part of spring, you'd have concerns," he said, "but I would be very surprised if he's not out there catching within the next couple of days. He's thrown eight bullpens. He just felt a little uncomfortable, and like I said, I think he tried to turn it up too quick.""