Liriano placed on DL; season in question

August 10, 2006 @ 14:27:32

By KFFL Staff and Bryce McRae
Edited by Ryan Dodson

After clawing their way back into the wild-card race, the Minnesota Twins got a dose of bad news Thursday, Aug. 10, when stud rookie starting pitcher Francisco Liriano (forearm/elbow/shoulder) was placed on the 15-day disabled list and it was revealed he could be done for the season.

An enhanced MRI exam taken earlier in the day showed a mild chronic strain of his ulnar collateral ligament. Further, a clinical exam revealed weakness and stiffness in his shoulder that has resulted in forearm soreness near the elbow. The team's physician, Dr. John Steubs, said he was "optimistic, but not totally confident" that Liriano would pitch again this year. The plan for now is to treat the shoulder and elbow with physical therapy. His absence is being listed as indefinite. Liriano had told the team he was pain-free before his last start Monday, Aug. 7, when in fact he had still been in some pain but tried on his own to pitch through it.

We don't need to tell you how devastating Liriano's injury can be, especially coming during the stretch run as it is. Liriano has put up unreal numbers this season, posting a 12-3 record with a 2.19 ERA. However, if you discount his last game against the Detroit Tigers, Liriano had an ERA of 1.96. And he was showing no signs of slowing down, going 4-1 with a 1.51 ERA in the month of July. He also ranks fourth in the American League in strikeouts (142), first in WHIP (1.01), batting average against (.206) and ERA (2.19) and second in winning percentage (.800). So with all those stats in your mind now, and knowing that you will lose that for the time being, you might be wanting to pack it in, but step back and we'll take a look at the positives of the situation.

Although he is affected by several areas (forearm/elbow/shoulder), it is indeed good news that he has a mild strain, and not a tear, of his ulnar collateral ligament. There is still some hope he can return this year, although you can bet the team will be extra careful with him from here on out.

What can you do to bolster your rotation during Liriano's absence? Well, first look no further then the Twins Triple-A system. Uber prospect starting pitcher Matt Garza has already been called up and will fill the team's fifth rotation spot. Garza has been lights out this season in the minors, starting the year at Class A Fort Myers and working his way up to the Triple-A affiliate Rochester. With Class A, he sported a 5-1 record, with a 1.42 ERA, before the Twins brought him to Double-A New Britain. He went 6-2, with a 2.51 ERA there, before getting the call to Rochester, where he went 3-1 with a 1.85 ERA. He is a strikeout machine, garnering 33 punchouts in 34 innings pitched with Rochester. It is thought the Twins had planned to bring him up and use him out of the bullpen, similar to what they did with Liriano last year and the beginning of this year, but this injury likely forces their hand a bit. He should definitely be picked up if he is available in your league. He'll make his first start Friday, Aug. 11.

Another pitcher who will be given another shot for the Twins is starting pitcher Boof Bonser. He has already had a few chances this season but has never had any real consistency. He started the year off going six innings and giving up just one run on five hits, but in his next start after that he gave up four and eight hits in five innings. In his last start (filling in for Liriano last week), he lasted just four innings, giving up seven runs (four earned) on six hits. He needs to put up better numbers, on a more consistent basis, but he is worth keeping an eye on. He will take Liriano's rotation spot.

After that, scour the free agency period and look for some two-start pitchers. The Twins are pushing hard for a playoff spot this year and remain hopeful of getting Liriano back. Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Jeremy Sowers, Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Jon Lester and Tampa Bay Devil Rays starting pitcher Tim Corcoran are all decent two-start pitchers who could fill in during Liriano's absence this week. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim starting pitcher Joe Saunders is also a good option to turn to after he piled up three wins with an ERA under two in his first handful of starts.

Either way, this will test your savvy as an owner, and you will definitely have to earn your championship this year.

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Bryce McRae
Bryce McRae is a Managing Editor with KFFL and has been involved in fantasy sports since 1999. He joined KFFL as a volunteer writer in March 2005 before becoming a Hot off the Wire Analyst in March 2006. He began working in his current capacity in September 2008. His work has appeared on fantasy sports sites such as Yahoo! and CBS Sportsline as well as in print. He graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2008 with a B.A. in History and U.S. Studies.

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