Twins make a couple moves

[Outdoors Junkie]

08/01/2008 4:57 PM ET
Twins recall Francisco Liriano and select the contract of Randy Ruiz
Designate pitcher Livan Hernandez and outfielder Craig Monroe for release or assignment

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Twins announced today that they have recalled left-handed pitcher Francisco Liriano and selected the contract of first baseman/designated hitter Randy Ruiz from Triple-A Rochester.
Liriano was 10-2, 3.28 (118.0 ip, 43 er), allowing 102 hits with 31 walks and 113 strikeouts and an opponents' batting-average-against of .231 (102-for-441) in 19 starts for the Red Wings this season. In his last 11 starts with Rochester, he was 10-0, 2.67 (70.2 ip, 21 er) with 13 walks and 80 strikeouts.

Ruiz batted .320 (133-for-416) with 33 doubles, three triples, 17 home runs and 68 rbi in 111 games with the Red Wings this season. He led the International League in hits, was tied for the league lead in batting, and was second in doubles and extra-base hits (53). Ruiz led the club in games, hits, doubles, home runs and rbi, and was second in at-bats. He will wear uniform number 56.

To make room for Liriano and Ruiz on the 25-man roster, the Twins have designated righthanded pitcher Livan Hernandez and outfielder Craig Monroe for release or assignment.

[Outdoors Junkie]

It is no big surprise that Monroe was released.  It does surprise me that Hernandez was let go.  I know Liriano has been lights out in his last ten starts in the minors.  But, Hernandez is leading the Twins in wins and has been a great mentor to our young staff.  He also has playoff experience.  Some other team will grab him quick.  I hope it is not the White Sox.

I am excited to have Liriano back with the big league club.  I hope he continues his great pitching at the Major league level.

[Stensethfan]

I hope I am wrong, but Liriano is a head case who will probably try too hard to prove he should have been here long before now this season which will lead to him giving up a lot of runs and hits.  Then who will we have in our rotation come September?  Boof?  Good grief I hope not!!  Like I said I hope I am wrong!     Releasing Monroe was more of a numbers thing.  He had 8 or 9 homers with limited at-bats.  I do not see either of these guys clearing waivers and making it to triple A Rochester.  There are plenty of teams that will need a cheap arm and bat this time of year.

[Outdoors Junkie]

We will find out on Sunday what Liriano can do.

[thunderpout]

The Cisco Kid is back!  But lets see how he does against some of those east coast powers... cant do worse than any other of our young guns have... give em all another year or two... cant wait for the new digs.... the timing might be perfect!

[thunderpout]

Pretty cool to get Eddie G back.... I think he's nearing the end of his career, but he's a guy that throws with heart, and we reeeaaaly need a setup guy bad and it was perfect timing... good to see him get three pop ups on like ten pitches his first game back with us!   The guys gotta get back on track here now while we're playin the mariners... its only gonna get tougher down the road......