Twins: Young arms continue to rehab

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09/01/2007 2:08 PM ET
Notes: Young arms continue rehab
Liriano, Perkins meet with team to determine return plans
By Leslie Parker / MLB.com
 


MINNEAPOLIS -- Highly regarded injured Twins pitchers Francisco Liriano and Glen Perkins have been in the clubhouse this weekend meeting with coaches and trainers to determine what the next steps in their rehabilitation programs will be.
Liriano, who had a breakout rookie year with the Twins last season, is recovering from reconstructive surgery on his left elbow. He played catch at the Metrodome on Saturday and met with team personnel to discuss a course of action on Friday.

"He's doing great. Everything's going good, really good," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "[On Friday], we had a meeting with him, and there were no problems at all. He feels fantastic, and we want to keep it that way. The longer you give it to heal, the better off."

Gardenhire said it was doubtful that Liriano would play winter ball, but may see some time in instructional ieague. The plan is for him to spend the winter rehabbing in Fort Myers, Fla., where the team can keep a close eye on him, and be ready to pitch in Spring Training.

"I don't think winter ball is going to happen. We've got to really guard him," Gardenhire said. "We want him ready for Spring Training next year. You get down there and it's out of our control, and there's no telling what could happen. There's been a lot of work and effort put in to getting this guy healthy, so sending him to winter ball without anyone down there to monitor it would be a little dangerous with a guy coming off a big elbow surgery."

The timetable for Perkins is much more imminent. The Twins have pulled him out of his current rehab assignment with Double-A New Britain, and now have five days to either activate the lefty or shut him down for the season.

The soreness in Perkins' shoulder bothered him so much on Tuesday in his last rehab start that he made several mistakes -- forgetting to cover first base and back up third base -- and Gardenhire reported that he looked disinterested.

"He said he stunk. He said it. He said, 'I embarrassed myself,' is basically what he told us," Gardenhire said. "He apologized to the team and said that's no way to go about your business. He said he was a little bit sore out on the mound, and his whole thought was toward his arm, and he didn't cover first and he didn't back up. He knew he had screwed up, and that's good enough."

Perkins will continue his throwing program in Minneapolis and the Twins will decide whether to activate him after he throws a bullpen session early in the week. If they do activate him, Perkins will be used out of the bullpen.