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Francisco Liriano News & Rumors

Perkins, Liriano get raises; Twins talking with Casilla
January 18
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"The Twins avoided arbitration with lefthanders Francisco Liriano and Glen Perkins and exchanged figures with infielder Alexi Casilla on Tuesday. Liriano, who made $4.3 million last season, will make $5.5 million in 2012. That's right, he gets a raise after going 9-10 with a 5.09 ERA in 2011. Of the three arbitration-eligible Twins this offseason, Liriano has the most to gain by having a bounceback season in 2012. He threw a no-hitter May 3 in Chicago, but the rest of his season perplexed the Twins. In 134 1/3 innings, he gave up 125 hits and walked 75 batters. Liriano, 28, was supposed to take it easy during the offseason but instead has spent the past two weeks pitching for Escogido"
Liriano ends up pitching winter ball after all
January 5
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Francisco Liriano believes the success he had in winter ball during the 2010 Dominican League playoffs helped propel him to a big season that year with the Twins. Last year, Liriano missed winter ball and developed left shoulder stiffness right before spring training before struggling through the season at 9-10 with a 5.09 ERA. So it was a notable development Tuesday, when Liriano returned to the mound for Escogido against Licey. The lefthander allowed one earned run on two hits, with one walk and two strikeouts in 1 2/3 innings."
Liriano to meet with noted physician Yocum about sore shoulder
September 3
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Twins pitcher Francisco Liriano, out since a two-inning performance in a 6-1 loss to Baltimore on Aug. 25, will travel to Southern California this weekend to meet with Angels physician Lewis Yocum about his sore left shoulder. The left-hander gave up an earned run on two hits and three walks in his last start, his seventh of less than five innings this season, complaining of shoulder soreness. An MRI exam, team trainer Rick McWane said Friday, "didn't show anything that you really wouldn't expect to see." In fact, McWane said, the findings were identical to those of an MRI Liriano had in May. According to McWane, Yocum, a nationally known orthopedic specialist, agreed with Twins"
Liriano on 15-day DL with left shoulder strain
August 26
MLB.com
 
"Twins left-hander Francisco Liriano was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a left posterior shoulder strain after leaving Thursday's 6-1 loss to the Orioles after just two innings. Left-hander Scott Diamond, recalled from Triple-A Rochester to take Liriano's spot on the roster, will start on Friday against the Tigers, as scheduled starter Anthony Swarzak pitched 3 1/3 innings in relief of Liriano. "We're putting Frankie Liriano on the DL with a muscle strain in the back of his shoulder, and he'll get an MRI [on Friday]," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "We're calling up Mr. Diamond; we'll start him [Friday] night and go from there.""
Liriano wins consecutive starts for the first time this season
August 21
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"As Francisco Liriano emerged last season from a long battle with his elbow - a battle that included Tommy John surgery way back in the fall of 2004 - the left-hander rattled off winning streaks of four and eight games, re-establishing himself as the Twins' most talented starter. With a 9-4 victory Saturday night over the Yankees, his first against the Twins' arch-nemesis, Liriano won consecutive starts for the first time in 2011. "I didn't know that," he said. "It's been a tough year, kind of up and down." Liriano has been dominant at times this season, throwing a no-hitter on May 3 at Chicago, and taking a no-hitter into the eighth inning of a victory over American League West leader"
Twins' offense delivers as Francisco Liriano gets first win since July 14
July 30
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Are the Twins making their move in the American League Central, or just treading water? Minnesota beat the Oakland A's 9-5 Friday night in front of 25,656 at McAfee Coliseum to keep pace with Detroit in the Central Division, but they'll need to follow it with many more if they're going to win their third straight division crown. They haven't won, or lost, more than two straight since July 3-5. Trevor Plouffe was 2 for 6 with three runs scored and two RBIs, and Jason Kubel added a two-run double as the Twins improved to 3-2 on this 10-game road trip against the AL West. Michael Cuddyer's three-run homer off Michael Wuertz put it away in the eighth. Josh Willingham drove in all five runs for"
Liriano overcomes bumpy first inning
July 15
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"The symptoms were there for another Francisco Liriano meltdown. A wild pitch, a walk and a pair of Little League-like errors by the Twins spotted the Kansas City Royals a 2-0 lead Thursday before darkness fell at Target Field and the home team even had a chance to bat. Liriano acknowledged afterward he was overly excited and had little command from the get-go in his first start since July 6, familiar shortcomings that have dogged the talented left-hander throughout his oscillating career. On this night, though, he managed to shrug off the early yips and bear down to record a gritty victory in the Twins' 8-4 romp over the Royals. Allowing just one earned run over seven innings, Liriano"
Inconsistent pitching by Francisco Liriano, Alex Burnett paves the way for Twins' loss
July 7
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Hours after Scott Baker's right elbow ended his night after five innings, Francisco Liriano's inability to rein himself in ended his day after 4-1/3. On Tuesday, Minnesota's bullpen was able to hold on despite Baker's early exit. Wednesday did not go so well. Liriano gave up five runs on six hits during his brief outing, but after he left the Twins climbed back from a 5-2 deficit to tie the score in the seventh. That tie didn't hold long, as Alex Burnett, after using just one pitch to get the final out of the Rays' seventh, gave up four runs on four hits and one walk in the eighth inning of the Twins' 12-5 loss at Target Field. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire has lamented Burnett's seeming"
Liriano is hitting his stride, but it doesn't mean contract talks are in the offing
June 29
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Francisco Liriano hasn't always been lights-out this season, which is why he carries the highest earned-run average of the Twins' starters right now, 4.98. But the left-hander seems to be putting his erratic past behind him. Since starting the season 1-4 with a 9.13 ERA, Liriano is 3-3 with a 3.02 ERA and a no-hitter May 3 against the Chicago White Sox. Coupled with last season's renaissance - he was 14-10 and led the starters with a 3.62 ERA and set a career high with 191-2/3 innings - it could indicate Liriano is finally becoming a pitcher the Twins can rely on. "We've seen very good improvement, certainly over the last year and a half," general manager Bill Smith said. "I think he's"
Liriano's progress impresses Anderson
June 13
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 columnist Sid Hartman
"After beginning the season with an ERA of 9.13 in his first five starts, Twins pitcher Francisco Liriano, who limited the Rangers to one run and two hits in eight innings Sunday, is 3-2 with a 1.89 ERA in his past six starts. Liriano appeared headed for his second no-hitter of the season before the Rangers' Adrian Beltre led off the eighth inning with a single. Beltre then advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on Yorvit Torrealba's single. Twins pitching coach Rick Anderson called Liriano's performance better than his no-hitter on May 3 against the White Sox. But Anderson said Liriano has one fault, and that is what got him trouble in the eighth. "The biggest thing is in his"
Francisco Liriano throws gem against Rangers
June 13
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Francisco Liriano was flooded with interview requests, phone calls and text messages after his May 3 no-hitter against the White Sox. Sunday's performance won't receive near the attention, but he was better, no matter what history says. Liriano's bid for a perfect game ended in the seventh inning. His no-hit and shutout bids ended in the eighth. But after the Twins defeated Texas 6-1 at Target Field, the praise for Liriano was overflowing. "I haven't seen Frankie pitch like that in a long time, even in that no-hitter," said Michael Cuddyer, who hit a three-run homer in the seventh. "He was more erratic that night. His stuff got him a no-hitter. Today was like Frankie of '06." The Twins,"
Liriano to DL; Kubel in a boot
May 31
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"The Twins placed Francisco Liriano on the 15-day disabled list with left shoulder inflammation after Monday's 6-5 loss to the Tigers. The move was made retroactive to May 23, and Manager Ron Gardenhire said he hopes Liriano only has to miss one more start. To fill Liriano's roster spot, the Twins have promoted righthanded reliever Anthony Slama from Class AAA Rochester. Anthony Swarzak, who replaced Liriano on Saturday and took a no-hit bid into the eighth inning, will pitch in his place again Thursday in Kansas City. Kubel hobbled Jason Kubel said he felt pain on the top of his left foot when he jumped at the wall, trying to catch the sixth-inning home run by Victor Martinez. Kubel said"
Francisco Liriano hits the DL; Jason Kubel out Tuesday
May 31
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Francisco Liriano, bothered on and off by a sore left shoulder since spring training, was placed on the disabled list Monday and will miss his next scheduled start. The Twins were hoping Liriano could test the shoulder with a bullpen session today, but manager Ron Gardenhire said, "He still doesn't feel good enough." So Anthony Swarzak, who pitched eight innings of one-hit baseball Saturday against the Angels, will start Thursday in Kansas City. "It's just not to the point where he wants to throw a bullpen, or feels comfortable enough to throw one, so we'll just skip a start and go from there," Gardenhire said of Liriano. "It's nothing serious; it's getter better. It's just not working"
Liriano still having shoulder issues in Detroit
May 30
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Twins lefthander Francisco Liriano said his left shoulder did not feel well when he played catch before today's game against the Tigers, so he will likely miss one more start, at least. The Twins had hoped he'd be able to test the shoulder in a bullpen session Tuesday, but that probably won't happen now, and Anthony Swarzak will likely make Thursday's start against the Royals."
Liriano will test shoulder soon
May 30
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Twins lefthander Francisco Liriano told the club Sunday that his shoulder feels better after missing Saturday's start because of some soreness. But the big test will come Tuesday in Detroit. That's when Liriano is scheduled to throw in the bullpen. If that session goes well and he reports no problems the next day, he will start Thursday in Kansas City. If Liriano has any issues, Anthony Swarzak would start and Liriano could land on the disabled list. "He feels better, and that's a good thing," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "It sounds like he'll be able to go out there and throw. But if it comes up that he's having issues out there [the DL] would be something we would [consider]. Back"
Liriano fighting shoulder inflammation but hopes to make next start
May 29
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Francisco Liriano had a magnetic resonance imaging exam Saturday morning that revealed inflammation in his left shoulder. The left-hander already had been pulled from Saturday night's start against the Los Angeles Angels at Target Field. Anthony Swarzak started instead and pitched 7-1/3 no-hit innings before giving up a double to Peter Bourjos in the eighth. Liriano said he has been feeling pain in the shoulder for at least 10 days, which covered his last start, a 3-2 loss May 22 at Arizona. He said he hopes to miss just the one start."
Francisco Liriano will miss Saturday's start, and Joe Nathan and Jim Thome are ailing again.
May 28
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"After another horrendous bullpen collapse by the Twins in Friday night's 6-5 loss to the Angels, there was more deflating injury news at Target Field. Francisco Liriano has been scratched from Saturday's start because of a sore left shoulder. Manager Ron Gardenhire said he hopes Liriano misses only one start. Righthander Anthony Swarzak will take his turn against the Angels. Joe Nathan was unavailable to pitch Friday because of a tender right elbow. Gardenhire said if Nathan doesn't feel well enough to pitch Saturday, the Twins might need to place him on the disabled list. Jim Thome left Friday's game because of soreness in his right shoulder, and the Twins were contemplating a cortisone"
Liriano shows his no-hitter was no fluke
May 19
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Just when you're ready to give up on Francisco Liriano, he pulls you back in. His 2011 season has been one of highs and lows, and if it's been mostly lows, the highs have been pretty spectacular. And the Twins left-hander believes he might be turning the corner after starting spring training with a shoulder problem that set him back more than anyone realized. His nine-strikeout, one-walk performance in a 2-1 victory over 2010 AL Cy Young Award winner Felix Hernandez and the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night reminded everyone how good Liriano can be, and that his no-hitter May 3 at Chicago was not a last hurrah for a pitcher who has spent the past few years trying to recapture the brief"
Liriano's gem helps Twins finally halt slide
May 18
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"After dealing with all the emotions of a frustrating nine-game losing streak to go along with the death of a franchise icon, the Twins finally had something good to feel about Tuesday night. Francisco Liriano threw seven strong innings and some early offense held up in a 2-1 victory over Felix Hernandez and the Mariners, ending the Twins' worst losing streak in more than a decade. "It was a very emotional day before the game, and very emotional after the game," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. With the death of Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew on Tuesday morning, the Mariners held a moment of silence before the game and also showed a video tribute for Killebrew after the first inning. "The"
Francisco Liriano isn't looking for no-hit history to repeat tonight
May 10
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Francisco Liriano was puzzled. He furrowed his brow at the question before finally deciding that he had never heard of Johnny Vander Meer. Told on the eve of his first start since his own no-hitter that Vander Meer once threw back-to-back no-hitters, Liriano smiled and said, "Oh, he did? Way back in the day?" Yes, way back in 1938. "Oh," Liriano said. "Wow." Seems pretty much impossible, huh? "Yeah," he said, "I think it is." Liriano is a man of few words, but on Monday afternoon, he repeated some of them more than once. First off, he's not focused on matching Vander Meer's feat. Second, he said he would take the mound against Detroit tonight at Target Field with one thought on his mind."
Liriano ready to go in first start after no-no
May 10
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Twins lefthander Francisco Liriano has far simpler goals for Tuesday night's start against the Tigers than firing another no-hitter. He said he never had heard of Johnny Vander Meer, who threw consecutive no-hitters for the Cincinnati Reds in 1938. No major league pitcher has done it since. Liriano will be making his first start since his no-hitter in last Tuesday's 1-0 victory over the White Sox. "I just want to go out there and have a quality start and give the team a chance to win the game," Liriano said Monday. "I don't think about a no-hitter or anything like that." What does manager Ron Gardenhire want? "Who you kidding?" he said. "I'd take another no-hitter." But considering Liriano"
No surprise: Verlander, Liriano share weekly AL honors
May 10
Detroit News
 
"They shared the spotlight with their no-hitters last week. Now they will share AL player of the week honors. Detroit's Justin Verlander, who no-hit Toronto and Saturday, and Minnesota's Francisco Liriano, who threw his Tuesday against Chicago, were named the award winners in the AL on Monday. It was Verlander's second no-hitter, Liriano's first. They were the first no-hitters of the 2011 season."
Liriano's confidence swells after no-hitter
May 9
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 columnist Sid Hartman
"Fans who have tickets to Tuesday's game at Target Field get a chance to see Twins lefthander Francisco Liriano have a chance to perform a real miracle and match what Johnny Vander Meer did for the Cincinnati Reds in 1938, when he was the only major leaguer ever to pitch back-to-back no-hitters. However, don't get too excited, as Liriano has not been very effective in his two starts at Target Field this year. He is 0-2 with an astronomical 15.75 ERA, having given up 14 runs on 14 hits and five walks in eight innings. Liriano, 27, had an abysmal 9.13 ERA before the no-hitter against the White Sox, and even the nine shutout innings lowered the figure to a still-unimpressive 6.61. The last"
Liriano pushed back to Tuesday
May 8
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"The Twins think Francisco Liriano caught the same virus that's been going around the clubhouse, so they moved his next scheduled start from Monday to Tuesday. That means he will be pitching with six days of rest, two more than usual, when he faces the Tigers at Target Field in his first start since his no-hitter Tuesday in Chicago. Liriano came down with a sore throat and upper respiratory congestion and didn't feel well enough to throw his between-starts bullpen session Saturday. The Twins had talked about moving his start back anyway, since he matched a career high with 123 pitches vs. the White Sox. "It's the right thing to do after all those pitches," manager Ron Gardenhire said. Nick"
Liriano will get plenty of rest after his no-hitter
May 5
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Francisco Liriano wasn't any more sore than usual after throwing 123 pitches in his no-hitter Tuesday night, but he didn't arrive at U.S. Cellular Field on Wednesday feeling well rested. The left-hander was up into the early hours of Wednesday, first responding to the approximately 55 text messages that poured in after he held the White Sox hitless in a 1-0 Twins win, then talking on the phone to his parents and his six brothers and three sisters, not to mention several friends and cousins. Liriano's family watched the ballgame, as they do most if not all of his starts, back home in the Dominican Republic. Liriano fielded calls and texts until about 4 a.m. He could have just as well kept"
Anticipation aside, team considering a break for Liriano
May 5
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Johnny Vander Meer can wait. After firing his improbable no-hitter Tuesday, Twins lefthander Francisco Liriano is scheduled to make his next start Monday in Boston. That's an ESPN game, and the network probably can't wait to hype Liriano's bid to become the first pitcher to throw consecutive no- hitters since Vander Meer did it for Cincinnati in 1938. But the Twins might have other plans. Manager Ron Gardenhire said Liriano could wait to pitch until Tuesday, at home against Detroit, which would give him six days' rest after matching his career high with 123 pitches. "We have to see how he is within a couple days here," Gardenhire said. Liriano, 27, said he didn't feel any sorer than usual"
Liriano's no-hitter gives Minnesota Twins a huge lift
May 4
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"There he stood, the pitcher formerly known as Franchise, the left-hander who started this ballgame with his place in the rotation in jeopardy and ended it, a short two hours and nine minutes later, the owner of a no-hitter. He walked six batters, threw 123 pitches (tying his career high), struck out only two, and, when it was all over, Francisco Liriano looked relieved. He watched Matt Tolbert catch Adam Dunn's lineout for the 27th out of the game, he exhaled and, as his teammates rushed in from all sides, showed the smallest semblance of a smile. Nothing about the outcome of the Twins' 1-0 win over the White Sox was likely, not even the most fundamental of results — that Liriano, with a"
Defense comes up big to back up Liriano's gem
May 4
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Most no-hitters include at least one memorable defensive play. Francisco Liriano's had several. The Twins were clinging to a 1-0 lead over the White Sox on Tuesday night with two outs in the seventh inning. Normally, teams guard the lines in that situation, trying to prevent a double. But the Twins had third baseman Danny Valencia stationed a few feet off the line. Manager Ron Gardenhire said the reason is that Valencia is much better going to his backhand side than his forehand side. Sure enough, Carlos Quentin hit a chopper down the line. The ball took a bad hop, but Valencia -- whose defense has been a concern for the Twins this season -- reached up about letter-high to grab it. He"
Francisco Liriano throws no-hitter against White Sox
May 4
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Francisco Liriano said it was the eighth inning Tuesday night before it started sinking in that the Chicago White Sox didn't have a hit. To finish the no-hitter, Liriano needed to finish the whole game, something the Twins lefthander hadn't done in 204 previous professional starts between the minors and majors. "To be honest, I was running out of gas in the ninth," Liriano said. Manager Ron Gardenhire and pitching coach Rick Anderson wanted Liriano to make history in the worst way, but he walked six batters, and his pitch count reached 116 with one out to go. Asked if he was sticking with Liriano all the way, Gardenhire replied: "How far is all the way? He can only load the bases and then"
Liriano fights yet another losing battle
April 28
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Even before the snow started falling on Target Field on Wednesday night, Francisco Liriano succumbed to the conditions. The left-hander, in his first outing since a 6 1/3-inning, five-hit, two-run, five-walk start drew praise from Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, crumpled in a three-inning heap of runs and walks and hard-hit balls sprayed all over Target Field. The first, disastrous inning went like this: double, single, double, triple, single. Five hits, four runs and no outs. Next came two strikeouts, then a walk with a stolen base mixed in and, finally, a groundout by Tampa Bay No. 9 hitter Reid Brignac to end the inning. By then Liriano had thrown 40 pitches. He came back to retire six of"
Elbow not behind Liriano's troubles
April 10
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 columnist Patrick Reusse
"There was a report in the Star Tribune before the start of spring training that the Twins were exploring the possibility of trading Francisco Liriano. Joe Christensen was the reporter providing this information to the public. Fans suggested this couldn't be true -- the Twins could not be considering a trade of the pitcher the club had used to start the first game of the playoffs in 2010. And others in the media, including a normally astute veteran columnist, accepted the reporting but suggested any trade of Liriano would mean giving up on this season. Liriano had a tender shoulder and Scott Baker had a minor elbow problem at the start of spring training. This took care of any notion the"
Twins starter Francisco Liriano loses his cool, then his control in loss to Blue Jays
April 3
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"At times Saturday, Francisco Liriano seemed fine, but then he'd walk a batter (which he did five times, twice on four pitches) or give up a homer (which he did twice) or even a hit. At that point, the left-hander seemed controlled by the idea of controlling baserunners. He'd throw over to first once, maybe twice, drawing boos from the crowd. He became distracted, worked up, and the results showed it as he fell into the trap he so often has — throwing too many pitches and not enough of them for strikes. During his 4 1/3 innings in Saturday's 6-1 loss to Toronto, Liriano gave up four runs on four hits. He threw 90 pitches, and just 44 of them were strikes. "Early in the game, he was in"
Liriano impresses with seven-strikeout outing
March 19
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Francisco Liriano had his best start of the spring Friday night, holding the Orioles to one run over five innings in the Twins' 3-2 victory at Ed Smith Stadium. Liriano had one walk and seven strikeouts, lowering his ERA to 5.59. "He overanalyzes a little bit; he wants to be perfect, but that was really good," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "The ball, he gets on top of it like he did tonight, at times he's unhittable, and he was tonight at times." Holding his hands about 2 feet apart, Gardenhire added, "They were missing the ball by this far.""
Liriano sees progress after rocky outings
March 14
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Twins pitcher Francisco Liriano needed this. Maybe Joe Nathan did, too. After looking shaky in his first two spring training starts, Liriano held the Phillies scoreless for three innings in Sunday's 6-3 loss at Hammond Stadium. In Nathan's case, he'd been nearly flawless in his first four spring outings, but he got pounded for six runs on five hits Sunday in a third of an inning. Nathan didn't pitch as poorly as his line suggests. Center fielder Ben Revere lost a pop fly in the sun, giving Michael Martinez a leadoff double. Left fielder Del-mon Young later dropped a ball in foul territory. But Nathan also gave up two doubles, a walk and a three-run homer to Delwyn Young. "Not a pretty"
Baltimore 11, Twins 2: Liriano cannot find his groove
March 10
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Francisco Liriano was a mess on Wednesday. When he wasn't spinning around on the mound from trying to throw too hard, he was spinning around to see where his pitches were being hit. "My slider was moving like a cutter," he said. "My changeup was coming up. My fastball was all over." Liriano, who began spring training a little behind the other starters because of shoulder tendinitis, looks as if he'll need all of spring training to get his mechanics in order. On Wednesday, he gave up five earned runs over 12/3 innings and set the tone for bad pitching as the Twins were blasted 11-2 by the Orioles. Baltimore led 6-1 after two innings and kept pouring it on. Vladimir Guerrero homered off Alex"
Yanks called about Francisco Liriano?
March 1
ESPN.com
 
"In an effort to try to improve their pitching, the Yankees called the Twins this offseason about the availability of Francisco Liriano, a baseball official with knowledge of the conversations between the two teams said. Thus far, the Twins have been unwilling to deal Liriano. While Minnesota is not necessarily looking to shop Liriano, a report in the Minneapolis Star Tribune last month said the Twins could be talked into it. Although Liriano is considered the Twins' ace, he is eligible for free agency after the 2012 season. Minnesota, who is deep in starting pitching, could look to sell high, thinking they won't be able to sign Liriano. As of right now, Yankees general manager Brian"
Anderson: Failure to exercise is Liriano's issue
February 21
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Francisco Liriano's shoulder problems stem from him not keeping up with strengthening exercises during the offseason. Liriano threw several bullpen sessions in the weeks leading to the start of camp but came down with tendinitis just before he left his native Dominican Republic for Fort Myers. An MRI done in Miami showed no structural damage. Twins pitching coach Rick Anderson said he asked Liriano whether he did all of his shoulder exercises during the offseason, and Liriano said no. "He's been doing them here, and now his shoulder is strong,'' Anderson said. Liriano played catch from 120 feet on Sunday and will resume bullpen sessions on Tuesday."
Failure to exercise is Liriano's issue
February 21
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Francisco Liriano's shoulder problems stem from him not keeping up with strengthening exercises during the offseason. Liriano threw several bullpen sessions in the weeks leading to the start of camp but came down with tendinitis just before he left his native Dominican Republic for Fort Myers. An MRI done in Miami showed no structural damage. Twins pitching coach Rick Anderson said he asked Liriano whether he did all of his shoulder exercises during the offseason, and Liriano said no."
'Still not throwing,' Liriano due exam
February 20
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Francisco Liriano will have his sore left shoulder examined by doctors today and could resume throwing in a few days. "I'm probably playing catch in probably two more days," he said Saturday. "Still not throwing." Liriano reported to spring training Friday with a sore left shoulder that concerned him enough that he went to Miami to get a magnetic resonance imaging exam earlier in the week. The Twins finally got their hands on it and had team doctor Dan Buss take a look. "He said everything looks great," manager Ron Gardenhire said. Liriano said he threw eight to 10 bullpen sessions before reporting to camp, which he said was normal. Asked if he had similar pain before spring training last"
Twins starter Francisco Liriano shrugs off sore shoulder, trade talk
February 19
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"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"
Liriano has tendinitis in his shoulder but not considered serious
February 19
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Lefthander Francisco Liriano has a slightly sore shoulder and did not throw his scheduled bullpen session today. Liriano said the shoulder began to bother him during his final preparations for spring training. He estimated that he's thrown about 12 bullpen sessions since the New Year. He didn't seem concerned about the development. Neither did Twins manager Ron Gardenhire. ``Liriano came in a little sore,'' Gardenhire said, ``He's been throwing bullpens. He came up sore a few days ago. We got a call last night. The doctors checked him out here. ``A little tendinitis. Just back him off a little bit and go from there. It happens in the winter when the guys are throwing on their own and get"
With Liriano, let's not get ahead of ourselves
February 15
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 columnist Patrick Reusse
"A vacationing sportswriter was sitting on a bench in front of Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, Fla., last week. He was deep in an hourlong conversation with Wayne Hattaway, clubhouse man emeritus for the Twins. The battle cry when he worked in the minor leagues for the organization was, "There's the right way, the wrong way and the Hatta-way." Wayne started with the Twins in 1964 and retired because of failing eyesight in 1996. Except, he never left -- just stuck around the team's winter home in Fort Myers. In 2002, Ron Gardenhire became the manager and worked it out with veteran players to finance Hattaway traveling with the big-league club. He's known universally as "Big Fella," for that's"
Trade Liriano? It isn't just crazy talk
February 10
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"With six pitchers vying for five spots in the Twins starting rotation, one possible solution is trading Francisco Liriano. Speaking to team officials recently, I've been surprised how open they are to this possibility, but the logic makes sense. Liriano, 27, can become a free agent after the 2012 season. Coming off a resurgent year, he might never have a higher trade value. One thing is clear: The Twins don't plan to sign him long term. Last weekend, they avoided arbitration with a one-year, $4.3 million deal. From what I've heard, their long-term talks went nowhere, with Liriano's camp hinting it wanted a three-year, $39 million contract. Even if that was just a starting point for"
Liriano's deal could impact talks with Marcum
February 7
MLB.com
 
"The Twins and left-hander Francisco Liriano avoided arbitration on Saturday by agreeing to terms on a $4.3 million contract for 2011, right at the midpoint of their filings. The deal could have an impact in the Brewers' talks this week with right-hander Shaun Marcum. "Liriano is definitely relevant to the Marcum discussions," said Brewers senior director of business operations Teddy Werner. But just how the Liriano settlement will impact Marcum remains to be seen as Werner continues negotiations with Marcum's agent, Rex Gary. The sides are trying to avoid a hearing that's believed to be scheduled for Thursday in Phoenix."
Liriano, Twins avoid arbitration with $4.3 million deal
February 6
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"The Twins and lefthander Francisco Liriano agreed on a one-year, $4.3 million contract Saturday that will keep the sides from heading to arbitration. The salary represents the midpoint of what each side sought in arbitration. Liriano asked for $5 million and the Twins filed for $3.6 million. Liriano went 14-10 with a 3.62 ERA last season in what was big bounceback year for him. His season included a 23-inning scoreless streak and a run of winning eight consecutive decisions. He made $1.6 million in 2010. He will be counted on to be a key member of a Twins starting rotation in which there are six pitchers for five spots. Pitchers and catchers report to spring training Feb. 17."
Teams calling Twins about Liriano
December 10
New York Post
 
"Several teams have called Minnesota to inquire about the availability of ace Francisco Liriano , including the Yankees, who are making sure of what is available in case they don't land Cliff Lee . But a Twins official said the team is focused on upgrading the front of the rotation and could not imagine how they would let Liriano go unless it were a trade that led to obtaining another high-end starter. The Twins would, however, consider trading strike-thrower Kevin Slowey , especially if they are able to re-sign free agent Carl Pavano ."
Twins fear that pitcher Francisco Liriano will unravel in Game 1
October 6
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"In the U.S. Cellular Field bullpen last month, Twins pitching coach Rick Anderson watched Francisco Liriano warm up for a start against the second-place Chicago White Sox and knew trouble could be on the way. When the left-hander jogged to the mound, Anderson warned manager Ron Gardenhire, "He's pretty excited about this game." For six innings, Liriano's emotions played out in a string of mound visits so frequent that White Sox fans booed every time Joe Mauer popped up from his crouch and headed toward his pitcher. Even Gardenhire joked after the game: "Now everybody knows what we feel like when we play the Yankees and (Jorge) Posada is running out there all the time. We were kind of"
Twins need Liriano to pull it together
October 5
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Francisco Liriano has what it takes to be the Twins staff ace: a nasty slider and a fastball clocked in the mid-90s. He is being treated like an ace, too, getting the ball Wednesday in Game 1 of the American League Division Series against the defending world champion New York Yankees. Liriano turned his career around this season, going 14-10 with a 3.62 ERA and 201 strikeouts in 191 2/3 innings. His devastating slider is back after Tommy John surgery in 2006 made everyone wonder if he would be the same again. He's evolving from a thrower into a pitcher and is being rewarded with his first career postseason start. But there's supposed to be another element in the arsenal of a No. 1 starter"
Francisco Liriano on schedule to pitch Game 1 for the Twins
September 23
USA Today
 
"The Twins' rotation is set up so that lefty Francisco Liriano will pitch Game 1 of the Division Series, manager Ron Gardenhire said Wednesday. After Wednesday's game with Cleveland, the Twins, who clinched the American League Central Tuesday night, have road series in Detroit and Kansas City before coming home to finish the regular season with a four-game series against the Blue Jays. Liriano will open the series against the Blue Jays and be followed by Carl Pavano, Brian Duensing and Nick Blackburn. That makes Liriano the Game 1 starter in the postseason. Pavano will pitch Game 2."