The Yakker

Liriano is Spanglish for "man who can't pitch."

I trumpeted Francisco Liriano as a guy who would return to breakout form this season and I couldn’t have been more wrong. Now I’m joining the push to get fantasy owners to ignore him altogether. He’s been bothered lately by swelling in his forearm and yet, he claims to feel no pain. The Twins are hurting for quality pitching after Kevin Slowey went down for the season with a wrist injury and it’s clear Liriano isn’t going to provide that boost. It’s tough to see why guys like Rob Delaney and Anthony Slama aren’t called to the majors to booster the bullpen and starters like well, nobody come up to join the rotation. Yes, the Twins couldn’t acquire a starter at the deadline and don’t really have much major-league ready in the upper levels of the minors. I was at the game on Saturday and Twins hurlers (emphasis on hurl) weren’t fooling anyone, so unless recent acqusition, shortstop Orlando Cabrera, can pitch, the rest of the season could wear on Twins fans everywhere.