Liriano feels good in first start for Twins

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Left-hander Francisco Liriano didn't have his best command, but got through two innings unscathed against Concordia University on Wednesday morning.

For a first spring outing, Liriano will take it.

"It was kind of weird being out there," Liriano said. "I hadn't pitched to a hitter since September last year."

Liriano will use Wednesday's outing as a springboard to the World Baseball Classic. He'll leave the Twins to pitch for the Dominican Republic.

"I think I'm ready for it," Liriano said. "My slider wasn't very good today. I'm working on it. I probably threw five or six sliders."

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire was just happy to see Liriano get in his two innings as Minnesota prevailed, 2-0, in six innings.

"He was missing the plate a little bit, but he was throwing the [heck] out of the ball," Gardenhire said.

Around the horn: The Twins have set their starting pitching for the opening four Grapefruit League games, including the split-squad games on Saturday. It'll be Johan Santana on Thursday vs. Boston, Brad Radke on Friday against Cincinnati, Scott Baker on Saturday against Tampa Bay and Boof Bonser on Saturday vs. Cleveland.