Francisco Liriano battling sore shoulder, will miss Saturday's start

MINNEAPOLIS -- Just when he was heating up, it looks as if Minnesota Twins left-hander Francisco Liriano could be running into some turbulence again.

A source told 1500 ESPN's Patrick Reusse that Liriano has a sore shoulder that is expected to scratch him from Saturday's scheduled outing. Anthony Swarzak would likely get the emergency start.

Update: Manager Ron Gardenhire confirmed the news after Friday night's 6-5 loss to the Angels.

"He told us late (Friday) afternoon that he was sore," Gardenhire said. "They (trainers) checked him out and told me it would be 50-50 (if he started). During the game they came and said the doctors looked at him and he shouldn't pitch. Should be a one start thing, I hope."

Liriano has a 5.73 ERA with 34 strikeouts and 32 walks in 48 2/3 innings this season.

Swarzak has appeared in three games, allowing six earned runs on 11 hits in seven innings.

Phil Mackey is a columnist for 1500ESPN.com. He co-hosts "Reusse & Mackey" weekdays from 4 to 6pm on 1500 ESPN Twin Cities.
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