BY JASON WILLIAMS
Pioneer Press

FORT MYERS, Fla. — As he steps out of camp, Francisco
Liriano might have taken a step back in the running
for a spot in the Twins' starting rotation.

The super pitching prospect struggled a bit with his
control over two innings of the Twins' 2-0 exhibition
victory over NCAA Division II Concordia-St. Paul on
Wednesday morning. Liriano allowed two walks and threw
a wild pitch, although the left-hander didn't allow a
run or a hit and had two strikeouts in a 25-pitch
outing.

Liriano, competing with fellow rookie Scott Baker for
the fifth spot in the rotation, is scheduled to join
the Dominican Republic team in Orlando today or Friday
in preparation for the World Baseball Classic.

"He's a little bit behind some of the other people,
but the quality of his pitches are there," Twins
manager Ron Gardenhire said. "Now, it's about
mechanics and not rushing."

Wednesday was the only firsthand evaluation the Twins'
decision makers will have of Liriano for a while. He
could be absent from camp for 2½ weeks for the WBC.

The Twins entered camp mostly concerned about
Liriano's control, so what he did Wednesday didn't
surprise anyone.

"The first inning was kind of weird because I hadn't
faced a batter since September, not even in batting
practice," said Liriano, who was 1-2 with a 5.70
earned-run average during a September call-up. "My
slider wasn't very good."

Liriano, 22, has a knack for trying to rush his
pitches, a sign of inexperience. The WBC might not be
conducive to helping him settle down, considering he
will be facing some of the top hitters in the world.

"He's going to be pumped up and throwing as hard as he
can, and those are the scary issues you have,"
Gardenhire said. "We don't get a chance to monitor
him."

Still undecided: Second baseman Luis Castillo
continued to be torn over whether to participate in
the WBC.

Castillo said he told Dominican general manager Stan
Javier on Tuesday that he didn't want to sit the bench
during the WBC. Alfonso Soriano is expected to be the
Dominicans' starting second baseman. Castillo said
Javier is trying to talk him into playing, and they
were expected to talk again Wednesday afternoon.

It's just another WBC headache for Gardenhire.

"I'd like to know for my lineups what he's going to
do," said Gardenhire, who will have a finalized WBC
list today. "He told me he'd like to stay, but he's
also committed to them. That's something I have to
stay out of."

Utility infielder Luis Rodriguez also remained torn
about the WBC on Wednesday morning. He said he
wouldn't want to play for Venezuela if the team is
going to use him in a utility role.

Uncertain of his roster, Gardenhire set the schedule
Wednesday to have just four infielders available for
tonight's Grapefruit League opener against Boston.
Those are first baseman Terry Tiffee, second baseman
Nick Punto, shortstop Jason Bartlett and third baseman
Glenn Williams.

Briefly: Reliever Juan Rincon (elbow) threw a
five-minute bullpen session. He said it went well and
that he is scheduled to throw again Friday.

Justin Morneau, trying to bounce back from a rough
season, went 0 for 2 in the exhibition game, including
grounding into a double play.

Posted on Thu, Mar. 02, 2006