Just an FYI guys...
FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP)—Francisco Liriano took another step toward making his spring debut for the Minnesota Twins.
Liriano, the left-hander who missed the entire 2007 season while recovering from major elbow surgery, threw 40 pitches on Tuesday in batting practice. He was watched by bullpen coach Rick Stelmaszek, who said Liriano would probably pitch in an exhibition game on Friday.
On a scale of one to 10, Liriano said he threw at about an “eight” while working on his slider, fastball and changeup. He’s aiming this season to avoid relying so heavily on his slider.
“I didn’t feel any pain, any soreness at all,” Liriano said. “I feel real good. I guess I’m trying to take it easy and not throw too hard.”
Liriano arrived more than a week after Twins pitchers and catchers began formally working out in Fort Myers, because of a **** delay in his native Dominican Republic. He went 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA and 144 strikeouts in 121 innings as a rookie in 2006 before his elbow injury flared up, requiring Tommy John ligament replacement surgery in November.
Second baseman Brendan Harris and two minor leaguers, catcher Jose Morales and outfielder Jon Knott, faced against Liriano on Tuesday.
They didn’t make much contact, though hitters are never fond of live batting practice in spring training because the pitchers are farther along and typically have the advantage.
“He threw a lot more strikes,” Stelmaszek said. “I think his reputation preceded him. By watching their body language, they didn’t want anything to do with him.”
Liriano, the left-hander who missed the entire 2007 season while recovering from major elbow surgery, threw 40 pitches on Tuesday in batting practice. He was watched by bullpen coach Rick Stelmaszek, who said Liriano would probably pitch in an exhibition game on Friday.
On a scale of one to 10, Liriano said he threw at about an “eight” while working on his slider, fastball and changeup. He’s aiming this season to avoid relying so heavily on his slider.
“I didn’t feel any pain, any soreness at all,” Liriano said. “I feel real good. I guess I’m trying to take it easy and not throw too hard.”
Liriano arrived more than a week after Twins pitchers and catchers began formally working out in Fort Myers, because of a **** delay in his native Dominican Republic. He went 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA and 144 strikeouts in 121 innings as a rookie in 2006 before his elbow injury flared up, requiring Tommy John ligament replacement surgery in November.
Second baseman Brendan Harris and two minor leaguers, catcher Jose Morales and outfielder Jon Knott, faced against Liriano on Tuesday.
They didn’t make much contact, though hitters are never fond of live batting practice in spring training because the pitchers are farther along and typically have the advantage.
“He threw a lot more strikes,” Stelmaszek said. “I think his reputation preceded him. By watching their body language, they didn’t want anything to do with him.”