MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Twins recalled one of their top
pitching prospects, left-hander Francisco Liriano, from Triple-A
Rochester on Friday.
The team also activated shortstop Juan Castro from the disabled
list and purchased the contract of outfielder Jason Tyner from
Rochester.
The 21-year-old Liriano, who started the season in Double-A,
went 9-2 with a 1.78 ERA and 112 strikeouts in 14 starts after
being promoted to Triple-A in June. He was named International
League rookie of the year.
Liriano was acquired in a trade with San Francisco after the
2003 season along with two-time All-Star closer Joe Nathan and
right-hander Boof Bonser -- who leads the IL in strikeouts. In
exchange, the Twins sent catcher A.J. Pierzynski to the Giants.
The trade has worked out extraordinarily well for Minnesota,
which eventually will use Liriano as a starter -- as soon as next
season or perhaps later in September if the Twins are eliminated
from postseason contention. For now, he'll provide a powerful arm
out of the bullpen.
"We've got five starters," said manager Ron Gardenhire, who
put another top prospect, Scott Baker, in the rotation last weekend
in place of struggling righty Joe Mays.
"I hope he doesn't get a start, because if he doesn't that
means we're in the race until the end," Gardenhire said. "But if
we fall out of it, sure we'll take a look at that."
The Twins are loaded with pitching right now, but they were
unable to use some of it to bolster their light-hitting lineup
before the trade deadline. General manager Terry Ryan was unwilling
to part with Liriano, whom many teams were interested in.
Ryan, who recently returned from a minor league scouting trip,
brought back a glowing report on Liriano -- telling Gardenhire he
looked "very good."
"Terry doesn't throw out 'very good' very often," Gardenhire
said.
Gardenhire wanted Liriano to throw some pitches in the bullpen
during Friday night's game against Cleveland, and anticipated him
being available for duty on Sunday.
Castro was placed on the disabled list Aug. 13 with a strained
left knee. He has started 67 games this season, hitting .258 with a
.985 fielding percentage.
Tyner, who batted .286 with four home runs in 133 games for
Rochester this season, gives Minnesota some extra depth with center
fielder Torii Hunter likely done for the regular season with a
broken left ankle.