MLB - Sports Rumors

Tue Jan 29, 2008 7:08 am EST

Liriano says velocity and endurance have returned

By Joe Zedalis

Francisco Liriano

Getty Images

Francisco Liriano's readiness that looms as one of the most important questions of the new season. The Minnesota Twins insist they are not depending upon Liriano to make a major contribution this summer according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

"That's major (elbow) surgery, so you have to have a wait-and-see attitude," manager Ron Gardenhire said. The left-hander himself can't think of a reason why 2008 would be any different than his wildly successful first three months of 2006.

His velocity? "It's back. The past two weeks, I was (at) 95, 94 (mph)," the 24-year-old Dominican said. His endurance? "I'm throwing bullpens the same length as before surgery. I'm in shape."

Source: St. Paul Pioneer PressNew Window

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17 Comments

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  1. ip f
    1. Posted by ip f Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:26 pm EDT

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    great news, good to see him come back from that. Now, have stellar years and get traded to a big market team because you will not compete with those stiffs!
  2. da4leafcloverz
    2. Posted by da4leafcloverz Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:33 pm EDT

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    Yes, Francisco. Major elbow surgeries always leave pitchers the way they were before, right?
  3. Sean
    3. Posted by Sean Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:25 pm EDT

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    It is actually true that many people who undergo tommy-john surgery do return to their previous form. Maybe you should do your research before you bash someone?
  4. jjswol
    4. Posted by jjswol Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:36 pm EDT

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    I don't think you will see the real Liriano until 2009 although he will pitch in 2008.
    http://www.twinstrivia.com
  5. Bab7yd
    5. Posted by Bab7yd Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:47 pm EDT

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    OK. well Oh well to the other 5 posters..... & Ive been flooring the gas pedal so The Boom Boom BOW. can win 30 games for you. Not to mention In the World Series He gets to Hit like 7th on out team cause Santanas' gone. Joe Nathan is looking like theeres' no way we can sign em' But He can hit th e ball too. As a starter or on another team.
  6. Braves
    6. Posted by Braves Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:12 pm EDT

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    Pitchers actually come back from the ole TJ surgery with more elbow strength. To explain, think of it like this: In 2006 he was electric, and that was WITH some fraying of the UCL before actually injured it with tearing it in shreds.
    Now in 2008, if hes done the rehab and not rushed that part, he should be fully healthy, and pitchers come right off of TJ 100%, fully healthy for the first time in many years. So yea, he should be back to normal. His rehab took 15 months and most do it in 12 so they were very cautious with him.
  7. live 4 surf
    7. Posted by live 4 surf Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:56 pm EDT

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    as a giants fan it is less painful to recall " the trade" when this guy can't pitch,hope he is a bust. nathan hurts more because we've needed a closer for years.
  8. rr1
    8. Posted by rr1 Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:53 pm EDT

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    I hear that 4surf...........just like it was good to see Jason Schmidt on The Dodger pay roll last year.
  9. live 4 surf
    9. Posted by live 4 surf Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:56 pm EDT

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    alba eater best post name ever, schmidt was better because it was the dodgers.
  10. aj1725
    10. Posted by aj1725 Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:48 pm EDT

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    great news.....liriano will come back stronger!
  11. tweb31
    11. Posted by tweb31 Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:25 pm EDT

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    AJ Pierzynski for Liriano, Nathan, and Boof??? WOW, just getting Joe Nathan would've been a steal.
  12. Scott R
    12. Posted by Scott R Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:34 pm EDT

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    Liriano pitching well is the ONLY thing that will take the sting of losing Santana away. Don't get me wrong...Glen Perkins winning 20 games would be nice, too...but until Pohlad croaks and a new Forbes 400 owner comes along...Liriano's the only shot we have.
  13. someguy
    13. Posted by someguy Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:32 pm EDT

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    Look at his arm in the photo of this article. He throws funny. Don't get me wrong, he was amazing in 2006, but I remember having a conversation with a guy about his motion. We agreed it looked unnatural with his elbow. I hope he stays healthy, but I don't know..
  14. city of lakes office guy
    14. Posted by city of lakes office guy Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:53 pm EDT

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    To poster IP F who said "Now, have stellar years and get traded to a big market team because you will not compete with those stiffs!"
    Do the stiffs you refer to include Joe Mauer (a former AL batting champ), Justin Morneau (a former MVP), Michael Cuddyer and Delmon Young? That's a pretty solid 3-6 nucleus in your batting order. I think Liriano could compete with support from those non-stiffs.
    To poster Live4surf who said "as a giants fan it is less painful to recall " the trade" when this guy can't pitch,hope he is a bust."
    Your team is a bust. The TWins recognized young talent, and you got a star catcher (Pierzynski) who helped win a World Series. Oh yeah, he helped win it for the White Sox.
  15. wayne m
    15. Posted by wayne m Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:42 pm EDT

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    Liriano is a great pitcher and I hope he has a great season. As for the Twins, I give this organization far more credit than the much hyped A's. This small market team has been able to compete each season, they draft well trade exceptionally well and can spot quality young ball players like no other organization.
    I'm a Jay's fan but truely respect everything the Twins have been able to do with a limited budget.
  16. A Yahoo! User
    16. Posted by A Yahoo! User Wed Jan 30, 2008 9:20 am EST

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    well i had the same surgery in 04 and i didn't come back he needs to make sure he haves all the fear out of his mine
  17. t sizzle
    17. Posted by t sizzle Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:06 pm EDT

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    liriano has some of the most filthy stuff in the game...i can only imagine if the twins had a rotation of santana, liriano and garza...ask torii hunter about garza....if liriano is close to 100% look for an ERA under 3 and a K per inning....if the d rays werent in the east they could battle for a division title, their rotation consists of kazmir, sheilds and garza...ughhh....only if their young bats step up.

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