Liriano not yet ready for prime time

On Sunday, Twins pitcher Francisco Liriano made his first start since September 2006. It has been a long, grueling rehabilitation process for Liriano since undergoing Tommy John surgery on his pitching elbow eighteen months ago.

After a lackluster Spring Training, he was kept in Florida to make a rehab start for the Twins Class A team and then made a start last week for the AAA Rochester club. Having failed to impress, I was convinced Liriano should not have been in the major leagues until about June. No need to rush him, I thought.

His outing against the Kansas City Royals Sunday only confirmed those sentiments. He allowed eleven baserunners (6 hits, 5 walks) in only 4 2/3 innings.

Brutal!!




------------------------------------------