Francisco Liriano Out With Shoulder Inflammation
Added on May 31, 2011 by Scott in
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The topsy turvy season for Minnesota Twins left-hander Francisco Liriano took another wild turn yesterday when he was placed on the 15-day disabled list with inflammation in his throwing shoulder. He missed his last scheduled start on Saturday due to the injury. It’s unclear when he’ll return to the active roster, although he’s eligible to come of the DL on June 7.
Liriano has been dealing with soreness in the shoulder for two weeks. Thus far, his 2011 season has to be classified as up and down. He hurled a no-hitter versus the White Sox on May 3rd, the first of his career, and the first for a Twins pitcher since Eric Milton accomplished the feat in 1999.
Despite the no-no, Liriano has struggled with consistency. In nine starts, he is 3-5 with an ERA of 5.73. He’s allowed six home runs with 34 strikeouts and 32 walks in 48-plus innings. In six major league seasons, he has compiled 41 wins and 37 losses with a ERA of 4.11.
Liriano missed the entire 2007 campaign after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his left arm. After battling to regain his form in 2008 and 2009, he went on to win the American League Comeback Player of the Year in 2010, going 14-10 and posting a career-high 201 strikeouts.
Right-hander Anthony Swarzak will take Liriano’s spot in the rotation. He allowed only one hit in eight innings on Saturday and will make another start on Thursday. In four games pitched, Swarzak is 0-2 with a 3.60 ERA. Another right-hander, Anthony Salma, was recalled from Triple-A to take Liriano’s place on the roster.
The Twins are mired in a dreadful season beset by numerous injuries to key players, such as Joe Mauer, Joe Nathan, Jim Thome and Delmon Young. At 17-35, they are the worst team in baseball and the only one yet to reach the 20-win plateau. Needless to say, manager Ron Gardenhire , who has never finished below third in the AL Central division, isn’t having much fun.
Source: MLB.com
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