Liriano Comes Off Disabled List

Francisco Liriano was activated from the disabled list Monday night, two days before the rookie left-hander was scheduled to make his next start for the Minnesota Twins.

Liriano threw three hitless innings Saturday in a rehabilitation outing for triple-A Rochester during the International League playoffs. He is scheduled to start Wednesday against Oakland.

Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire said Liriano will probably throw about four or five innings and 50 to 60 pitches.

Right-hander Matt Guerrier will move from his long relief role and replace rookie Scott Baker in the rotation tonight.

Rookie Matt Garza is getting pushed back for now to accommodate Liriano, who went 12-3 with a 2.19 earned-run average this season before being sidelined by a sore elbow and weak shoulder.

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New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera will take an extra day of rest before testing his ailing pitching arm.

Rivera has been sidelined since Aug. 31 because of a muscle strain near his right elbow.

He threw Sunday at Camden Yards and was slated to throw again today, but that session was pushed back to Wednesday, Manager Joe Torre said.

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St. Louis Cardinals closer Jason Isringhausen received a cortisone shot for his ailing hip, and St. Louis said he won’t be used until the weekend.

Isringhausen has not pitched since Wednesday, when he blew his career-high 10th save in 43 chances. After giving up two runs in the ninth inning of a 7-6 loss at Washington, he said the hip had been bothering him.

“I’m really not doing anything until later this week,” Isringhausen said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen.”

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Houston Astros pitcher Andy Pettitte was pushed back a day from his scheduled start on Monday night to give him some extra rest and allow his left ankle injury more time to heal.... Baltimore Orioles right-hander Kris Benson was scratched from his start Monday night against the Yankees because of strep throat.