FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) -Francisco Liriano knows how he wants to spend his spring: with the Minnesota Twins.
Liriano insisted Tuesday that he will not play for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic in March to focus on the upcoming season.
“I’m going to stay here,” he said. “I just want to do the right thing.”
Liriano said he hadn’t told his Dominican teammates of his decision.
“They might understand, because of my position here,” Liriano said. “I’m going to be the second starter, No. 3, whatever – they know this is my career.”
Last season, the young lefty got off to a rocky start while recovering from Tommy John surgery in his pitching elbow. He was in Triple-A from mid-April to the beginning of August, then came back and went 6-1 with a 2.74 ERA.
“I want to stay healthy for the whole year,” Liriano said Tuesday. “Whatever else happens, happens.”
major surgery that November.
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire and pitching coach Rick Anderson said they did not pressure Liriano either way on the WBC.
“Any time you have your pitchers day in and day out, that’s a good thing,” Anderson said. “Then again, I know how important it is for players to represent their country.”
Unlike last season, when Liriano arrived 10 days late because of a visa issue and then had to redevelop and refine his mechanics following the surgery, he has no such limitations this season, Anderson said.
“Last year, we were kind of just looking to see where he was at,” Anderson said.
Gardenhire said the team has been cautious with Liriano for two years.
“Now he’s right with everyone else,” Gardenhire said.
Liriano reported Tuesday, a day after other pitchers and catchers, because his flight from the Dominican Republican was canceled.
denhire said. “He’s working out. He’s not with our organization, but he’s down here. This is a complex he knows. He’s been here.”
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