Liriano to start Monday for Twins; Mauer, Bonser also on shelf
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Twins right-hander Scott Baker will not start on Opening Day, as originally expected, having been placed on the 15-day disabled list on Thursday morning with right shoulder stiffness.
Baker threw just 58 pitches in a Minor League start against Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday.
The move to put Baker on the DL was made retroactive to March 28, so Baker, who was 1-2 with a 6.85 ERA in Grapefruit League play, will be eligible to come off the DL on April 12.
Left-hander Francisco Liriano will start Opening Day against the Mariners on Monday in place of Baker, and Nick Blackburn, Kevin Slowey and Glen Perkins will follow Liriano.
The Twins' starter against the White Sox in Chicago on April 10 has not yet been named, but it's expected to be knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, who started Wednesday's Grapefruit League contest against the Rays.
Two other players were also placed on the 15-day disabled list: Catcher Joe Mauer was added with inflammation in his right sacroiliac joint, and right-hander Boof Bonser, who had surgery to repair a torn labrum and torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder.
With Baker and Bonser on the DL, the Twins are now down to 12 pitchers -- the number they planned to carry on their Opening Day roster. That means Philip Humber and Brian Duensing will both likely make the team as relievers.
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