Liriano's Agent Asks for Union Investigation

After watching his client dominate Class AAA hitters for the past month, the agent for Minnesota LHP Francisco Liriano wants to know why the Twins have not called him up to the big leagues.

Greg Genske has asked the players' union to investigate why Liriano remains in Rochester despite going 7-0 with a 2.73 ERA in his past nine starts.

"I think that Francisco is dominating down there," Genske said Thursday. "The club concedes that as well. We're a little frustrated he hasn't been called up."

Genske said the delay has had an adverse effect on Liriano's service time, which determines when he is eligible for arbitration. After three years in the big leagues, a player qualifies for arbitration. Liriano, who was selected to the AL all-star team during his rookie season in 2006, has two years and 45 days.

Twins GM Bill Smith said the decision has nothing to do with service time.

The Twins have been one of the best teams in baseball over the past six weeks. They have won 22 of 29 thanks in large part to a young rotation that has outperformed expectations and made it difficult to find room in the rotation for Liriano.

"Obviously all of that stuff has an effect," Smith said. "When the major league team is playing well, that affects all the players in the minor leagues."

Even a prized pitcher like Liriano, who went 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA and 144 strikeouts in 121 innings before arm problems cut short his rookie year. He had elbow ligament replacement surgery on Nov. 6, 2006, and missed all of last season while recovering.

He hasn't allowed an earned run in his past three starts for Rochester and has 24 strikeouts and three walks during that span.

"The kid's doing great. He's doing fantastic. I'm happy for him," Smith said.

· MARINERS: Seattle has made talk of LHP Erik Bedard and the trading deadline simple: It's "irrelevant."

Mariners Manager Jim Riggleman said that the tightness in Bedard's left shoulder did not improve over the all-star break, so he will not even throw a baseball until Monday, when he will try to play catch. If that goes well, Bedard could throw a bullpen session next week, but the team said it is not trying to have him pitch before the July 31 non-waivers trading deadline just so it can showcase him to potential suitors.

Major league rules prohibit teams from trading players while they are on the disabled list, unless such a deal is expressly approved by the commissioner. Bedard, 6-4 with a 3.67 ERA, is eligible to come off the DL tomorrow.

"We're not looking at trying to pitch him before the 31st. The 31st is irrelevant with a guy who's got a tender arm," Riggleman said.

Bedard was acquired him in February from Baltimore for five players -- including reliever George Sherrill, who was an all-star.

-- From News Services