Twins manager Ron Gardenhire confirmed Friday that Francisco Liriano would open the season in the minors, making Nick Blackburn the fifth starter.

Liriano apparently will be optioned down rather than placed on the DL. He's scheduled to pitch for Fort Myers in five days, Triple-A Rochester five days later and then join the Twins. "By then, he should be stretched out to 100 pitches," Gardenhire said, "and we’ll bring him up with us."

Francisco Liriano 開季在 3A