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Smith this week watched Liriano throw a bullpen session and came away thinking that Liriano, barring any setbacks, is ready. "He is healthy and he is strong," Smith said. "He has been given the go-ahead to prepare for spring training as he normally would." Liriano, who turns 24 on Friday, was 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA for the Twins in 2006 before damaging the ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow late in the season. He had ligament replacement surgery Nov. 8. |
New Twins' General Manager Bill Smith said Friday that he expects lefthander Francisco Liriano to contribute next season based on his successful rehabilitation in Fort Myers, Fla., following Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery.