Twins send Liriano back to minors after slow start

ARLINGTON, Tex. -- Struggling left-hander Francisco Liriano was sent back to the minors by the Minnesota Twins on Friday, after posting an 11.32 ERA and losing all three starts since returning to the rotation.

Liriano was sent to Triple-A Rochester before Friday night's game at Texas, and it was not a surprise. He gave up six runs and got only two outs on Thursday against Oakland, his latest failure to find the strike zone in a return from reconstructive elbow surgery.

Right-hander Bobby Korecky was recalled from Rochester to take Liriano's roster spot. Korecky was the closer for Rochester, going 2-1 with an 0.68 ERA and five saves in 13 1/3 innings.