Yesterday word broke that Francisco Liriano and his agent have filed a grievance with the Player's Association claiming the Twins are keeping Liriano in the minors to keep him from getting service time and more importantly from keeping him from getting money through arbitration.

I don't buy it, and think more than anything they're just trying to get the team's attention. Liriano got his chance to show he was back, and the reality was, that he simply wasn't. They sent him down with the clear vision that if he could get himself back to form, he'd get a shot to return.

Early on he had some solid outings, but they would be matched the next time out with a poor one. The Twins made it clear that Liriano needed to be consistent to be recalled.

Now, that time has come. Liriano has gotten better with each outing, and over his last four games has pitched a total of 28 innings. In those 28 innings, Liriano has allowed just one earned run and struck out a remarkable 32 hitters.

It's been said that his slider is very close to being back where it once was, and he has been throwing in the low-90s consistently while also touching 97 from time to time.

The Twins need to find an opening on the major league roster and see if Liriano can help the team make a run at the playoffs. Not because he is forcing their hand as Gardenhire says, but because he deserves to prove he is ready.

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