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Liriano makes long-awaited return vs. Indians

Aug 3, 2008 - 7:10 AM Cleveland (48-61) at Minnesota (61-49) 2:10 pm EDT

MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- Francisco Liriano was clearly not ready to return to the majors earlier this season after undergoing "Tommy John" surgery in 2006. Based on his recent results, he may be now.

Liriano will make his first major league start in over two months on Sunday when the Minnesota Twins meet the Cleveland Indians.

After bursting onto the scene with a dazzling 12-3 record and 2.16 ERA in 2006, Liriano was placed on the disabled list with left elbow pain just five starts after becoming an All-Star for the first time.

He underwent ligament replacement surgery in November of that season and missed all of 2007.

The 24-year-old Liriano (0-3, 11.32 ERA) had hoped to return to his dominant form in time for the beginning of this season, but was clearly not the same, allowing opponents to bat .366 against him - significantly higher than his career .219 batting average allowed - leading to his demotion to Class AAA Rochester on April 25.

After some initial struggles in the minors, the lefthander appears to have recaptured the form he displayed in 2006 - going 10-0 with a 2.67 ERA over his last 11 starts - convincing the Twins to recall him on Friday, when they released Opening Day starter Livan Hernandez.

Matt Ginter (1-2, 4.20) will have the task of facing Liriano. The righthander, who has dropped two straight after winning his season debut, surrendered four runs and eight hits over four frames in Tuesday's 8-5 home loss to Detroit.