Francisco Liriano - Fantasy News & Updates
Francisco Liriano - Fantasy News & Updates
Position:
Status:
Previous 15 - Next 15
Follow MLB.com Fantasy on Twitter
Fantasy News
Fantasy Analysis
In his first start since Aug. 17, Liriano needed 45 pitches just to get through 1 2/3 frames. Even though the Twins had originally targeted Liriano to throw 60-80 pitches, they saw enough and decided to pull him until things got out of hand. He shouldn't be considered a viable starting option on Oct. 2 when the Twins host the Royals at the Metrodome.
Just how much the Twins will be able to get out of Liriano in the start is unclear. He has been pitching in relief following his return from a stint on the disabled list with left arm fatigue. Since his last start on Aug. 17, he has only thrown a total of 5 2/3 innings in three relief appearances. Sept. 23's outing for Liriano was the most he had thrown since a seven-inning start on Aug. 12 against Kansas City. A good start could earn him a shot at one more start before season's end, but Liriano could find himself back in the 'pen -- and Manship back in the rotation -- if Liriano falters.
Prior to going on the disabled list on Aug. 18 with arm fatigue, Liriano was 5-12 with a 5.80 ERA in 23 starts this season. But rather than end on that note, the Twins wanted him to return and pitch out of the bullpen. It will allow them to control how much Liriano throws and not allow him to pitch too many more innings this season, but still give him a chance to gain confidence. It could help him for 2010, but it effectively crushes his value for the final few weeks of the season.
Liriano threw a total of 42 pitches in the simulated game. Everything went well, Twins skipper Ron Gardenhire said, and the club saw more life on Liriano's pitches than they had before he went on the DL. "He was yanking a bit early and then the last couple hitters the ball really came out of his hand nice," Gardenhire said. "He threw a couple of nice sliders and changeups and his fastball was jumping." The southpaw will be ready to work out of the bullpen for Thursday's series finale against the Blue Jays.
If that goes well, Liriano will pitch a light simulated game Sept. 7, according to manager Ron Gardenhire. Liriano could be added to the bullpen shortly after that. It remains to be seen whether he'll get another crack at the rotation before 2010. The once-promising lefty is in the midst of his worst big league campaign, registering career worsts across the board that includes 12 losses, a 5.80 ERA, 58 walks, a .278 average against and a 1.53 WHIP.
Liriano will be checked out by doctors upon his return to Minnesota, and the Twins will then have a clearer timetable on his return. Gardenhire also hasn't ruled out the possibility of sending Liriano to the bullpen when -- and if -- he is able to return. "I don't know," Gardenhire said, when asked if Liriano could be out longer than 15 days. "I imagine, but we'll see. We'll give him a break here for a little bit, and then see if he can come back and bounce back." The club put Liriano on the 15-day disabled list last week with a tired arm.
Nothing fancy. Duensing got past the lowly Royals by keeping the ball in the park and inducing eight ground outs against four flies, lowering his ERA to 4.91. With Francisco Liriano sidelined and Anthony Swarzak sent down, Duensing stands a decent chance of sticking around for another start, though owners would be wise to take a wait-and-see approach with the soft-tossing southpaw.
The announcement came just hours after Liriano was lit up for seven earned runs over two innings against the Rangers, elevating his ERA to 5.80. With Glen Perkins also sitting on the sidelines, it looks like Humber will wind up earning a few starts in the interim. There is no word yet on Liriano's timetable for recovery.
An excellent outing for Liriano, whose struggles initially had him headed to the bullpen until Glen Perkins landed on the DL. Which makes Wednesday’s effort all the more impressive, as he locked down the Royals after serving up a homer to the second batter he faced, marking the first time in 10 starts that he allowed fewer than two earned runs. For the season, he’s fanned a quality 114 batters against 56 walks. As uplifting of an outing as it was, though, owners should monitor how the big lefty fares in his next start vs. the hard-hitting Rangers on Aug. 17 before sticking him back in the rotation.
Following a rough outing by Liriano in his last start at Cleveland, Gardenhire acknowledged that he would like to move the left-hander to the bullpen to help boost the pitcher's confidence. But at the time, there was no automatic choice to replace Liriano in the rotation. When the team acquired Carl Pavano in a waiver trade on Friday, the belief was that this could allow Liriano to make that move to the 'pen. However, Perkins' shoulder troubles have negated that possibility.
The Twins wasted no time inserting Pavano into the rotation. The club also announced that Glen Perkins will be moved to the bullpen for the weekend series against the Tigers. Twins skipper Gardenhire said that both Perkins and Francisco Liriano, who is currently back in the Twin Cities tending to a family matter, are still technically in the rotation. But the club will soon decide which pitcher will be permanently moved to the 'pen.
Pavano should slot into the Twins rotation at some point this weekend, likely displacing rookie right-hander Anthony Swarzak. Another possibility is that Francisco Liriano gets bumped to the bullpen. Finally healthy this season, the veteran compiled a 9-8 record and a 5.37 ERA in 21 starts for Cleveland. Owners should take note, however, that his rate stats (6.3 K/9, 1.65 BB/9) suggest a future ERA closer to the mid-4.00s, which could become a reality now that he's moving to a slightly better pitchers' park. Pavano will also be backed by a Twins lineup making a playoff push rather than the rebuilding Indians. Dickey posted a 4.62 ERA over 35 outings, including one start, for the Twins.
Location continues to plague Liriano, whose 11th loss left him in a tie with Baltimore's Jeremy Guthrie for the most in the AL. The Twins southpaw issued four walks, scattered eight hits and struck out four Wednesday, his ERA ballooning to 5.63. "The whole year, I'm making the same mistake every start," Liriano said afterward. "It's kind of hard for me waiting five days for my start, and having the same results." Twins manager Ron Gardenhire echoed those concerns, even suggesting a move to the bullpen to help restore Liriano's confidence. For now, he should make his next scheduled start, but another outing like this one could lead to changes.
Team doctors examined Liriano and had him undergo an MRI that showed some fluid in the area that's swollen. That isn't considered to be serious, but the bigger concern for Gardenhire is the soreness the pitcher has been experiencing in another part of his forearm -- up toward his elbow -- and that's a big reason why he decided to have Liriano skip the start. Liriano is 4-10 with a 5.56 ERA this season.
Liriano had one of his best outings of the year his only other time out against the Angels this season, tossing seven innings of three-hit, six-strikeout ball against them. Friday's rocky outing couldn't have been any more different, as the scuffling lefty served up three gopher balls and continued a year-long trend by not being able to get himself out of trouble in the middle innings. Liriano is next slated to chuck the rock on July 29 at home against the White Sox.
Previous 15 - Next 15
