Must.resist.temptation.to.lower.chokemeter.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2586221


Liriano leaves first start in month with elbow pain

Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota Twins left-hander Francisco Liriano, making his first start in more than a month, left in the third inning of Wednesday's game with left elbow pain.

Liriano came off the disabled list earlier this week after being shelved since Aug. 8 with a strained ligament in his throwing arm. The Twins hoped his return to the starting rotation would be the boost they needed to carry them to the postseason.

The 22-year-old Dominican went 12-3 with a 2.19 ERA and was one of the favorites for the AL rookie of the year award before injuring his arm. Before, he combined with ace Johan Santana to form one of the most formidable one-two punches in the majors.

He breezed through the first two innings on Wednesday against Oakland, throwing just 22 pitches. But after giving up a bloop single to Nick Swisher to start the third inning, Liriano came off the mound awkwardly after throwing a ball to Bobby Kielty.

Team trainers and manager Ron Gardenhire came out to look at Liriano while the home crowd held its breath. After a short meeting, Liriano was pulled from the game and replaced by fellow rookie Matt Garza.

If he doesn't change that delivery of his, he'll find himself on the DL quite often, just like another violent thrower(Kerry Wood).

Tommy John?

If so, their organization is going to be crucified for bringing him back this year (unless the damage was already done).

Liriano leaves rehab assignment, ponders surgery

Minnesota Twins left-hander Francisco Liriano, still feeling pain in his elbow, has halted rehabilitation work and may be considering surgery.

Liriano left the team's facility in Fort Myers, Fla., and was to consult with doctors. He began working out there earlier this month, trying to get healthy enough to pitch in winter ball.

"Francisco continued to experience pain while taking part in a throwing session, and at this point, he felt it was necessary to re-evaluate his situation," Gene Mato, one of Liriano's agents, told the Minneapolis Star Tribune. "After conferring with the Twins and the different medical personnel that have evaluated him, he will determine whether or not he wants to have surgery in the next week or so."

Liriano reported to Fort Myers for rehab shortly after the Twins' flameout in the AL Division Series, where they were swept by the Oakland Athletics. The team had hoped he could fully recover by the time pitchers and catchers report in February.

"He's frustrated," Twins general manager Terry Ryan said. "I know that."

Ryan, though, did not say if this newest twist has made surgery a more likely option.

Liriano, who turns 23 on Thursday, went 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA during the season and was considered a frontrunner for the AL Rookie of the Year award before the injury. After struggling through an Aug. 7 start against Detroit, he left the game because of elbow soreness. A brief stint in rehab followed, and Liriano returned to the mound Sept. 13 against the A's. He cruised through the first two innings and appeared to be back to form before once again leaving the game early with elbow pain.

Liriano did not pitch again in 2006.

He was diagnosed with a mild sprain of the ulnar collateral ligament, an injury team doctors had hoped would clear itself up through rest and rehabilitation.

That plan, however, does not appear to be coming together.

An MRI test and meetings with several specialists found no structural damage, but his soreness has persisted.

According to the Star Tribune, it is not clear if surgery would necessarily mean Tommy John surgery -- which could keep Liriano out for all of next season -- or just an exploratory operation.

It is has already been a busy offseason for the Twins, who picked up center fielder Torii Hunter's $12 million option for next season and gave manager Ron Gardenhire a two-year contract extension.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2637773

Twins' Liriano likely to miss '07 after elbow surgery

The Minnesota Twins were afraid of this: An ailing ligament in Francisco Liriano's left elbow must be replaced, and surgery will keep the young sensation from pitching in the 2007 season.

After meeting Friday with noted specialist Dr. Lewis Yocum in Southern California, Liriano learned he needs Tommy John surgery -- a ligament transplant procedure that usually takes at least a year to recover from. Liriano, 23, is scheduled to have the operation on Monday with team physician Dr. John Steubs assisting Yocum, the Twins announced.

"That's the way it is. Unfortunately we're going to lose him for a year, but people come back from these with the ability to rebound," general manager Terry Ryan said by phone from Arizona, where he is scouting fall league games.

Promoted to the rotation in mid-May, Liriano dominated the league with a wicked slider that he often threw well over 90 mph and went 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA and 144 strikeouts in 121 innings as a rookie. It's possible the strain put on his arm by throwing that pitch so hard was part of this problem with his ulnar collateral ligament, which first popped up in late July and was diagnosed then as a mild strain.

Liriano pitched only six innings over the final two months of the season, leaving a game in mid-September after two innings because of discomfort in his elbow. He tried to throw lightly last month in Florida at the team's spring training facility, but his arm still hurt.

"Hopefully everything will go well, and he'll be able to get back to the form he showed this year, which is quite high," Ryan said.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2648521

In the long run this might actually be good for the Twins. Without Liriano and with Radke retiring (likely) they'll be forced to either bring some youngsters up early or sign a couple solid FA's.
Fast forward to the following year and add Liriano back into the mix. Doesn't seem so bad for them.
Meanwhile, our division race seems like it just got some serious help for next year.
Imagine the Twins without Radke, Liriano or Hunter next year.