--LHP Francisco Liriano dropped to 0-4 with a 7.06 ERA after a disappointing four-inning start Wednesday night at Boston. Liriano started the game by retiring the first four batters he faced but then went on to walk four batters, scatter four hits, hit a batter and allow seven runs in his brief outing.

Still, manager Ron Gardenhire said Liriano's winless record does not reflect his performance this season.

"If Frankie were throwing terrible, if he were to have no clue what's going on, then you would worry," Gardenhire said. "Frankie's not feeling terrible. He's just got to adjust a little bit and no free passes. His stuff's good."

--DH/OF Jason Kubel had a heating pad on his neck Wednesday morning but said after a rain-shortened afternoon game in Boston that there was no cause for concern. He's just had some soreness since Sunday, and Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said reporters were privy to seeing him wrapped up because of Fenway's cramped visitor's clubhouse.

"If you guys saw everything that happened in the training room," Gardenhire said, "you'd wonder how in the hell we put a team together -- really, really. I walk in there and just turn around and walk right back out going 'oh my' all the time."

--RHP Juan Morillo, Minnesota's newest reliever, didn't do much to impress Wednesday, though manager Ron Gardenhire said the pouring rain Morillo pitched in didn't help. Still, Morillo gave up four runs, walked three and allowed a hit without recording an out in his second appearance for the Twins since the team claimed him off waivers from Colorado last week.

MEDICAL WATCH:

RHP Jesse Crain (right shoulder inflammation) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 18. He is expected to return as soon as he is eligible.

C Joe Mauer (inflamed sacroiliac joint in his lower back) went on the 15-day disabled list April 2. He began running, a key step in his recovery, in mid-April, and was scheduled to begin a rehab assignment on April 24. The Twins hope he can return by May 1.

RHP Boof Bonser (torn right labrum and rotator cuff surgery in February 2009) went on the 15-day disabled list April 2. He is out for the season.

RHP Pat Neshek (right elbow surgery) went on the 60-day disabled list Feb. 21. He will remain in Florida all summer and targets a return by next spring.

ROTATION:

LHP Francisco Liriano

RHP Nick Blackburn

RHP Kevin Slowey

LHP Glen Perkins

RHP Scott Baker

BULLPEN:

RHP Joe Nathan (closer)

RHP Matt Guerrier

LHP Craig Breslow

RHP Luis Ayala

RHP R.A. Dickey

RHP Juan Morillo

LHP Jose Mijares

CATCHERS:

Mike Redmond

Jose Morales

INFIELDERS:

1B Justin Morneau

2B Alexi Casilla

SS Nick Punto

3B Joe Crede

INF Brian Buscher

INF Brendan Harris

OUTFIELDERS:

LF Delmon Young

CF Denard Span

RF Michael Cuddyer

DH Jason Kubel

OF Carlos Gomez