BOSTON -- The Red Sox took a big step toward deepening the pitching talent in their farm system on Monday.
The club announced the signing of right-hander Daniel Bard, Boston's second first-round selection and the 28th overall pick of the 2006 First-Year Player Draft. Jason McLeod, the director of amateur scouting, made the announcement. No terms were disclosed.
The 21-year-old out of the University of North Carolina will report to Boston's Florida Instructional League program in Fort Myers on Sept. 18.
In three seasons for the Tar Heels, Bard -- who stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 202 pounds -- was 24-13 with a 3.92 ERA. He also racked up 239 strikeouts in 50 games, all but two of them as a starter. His 24 wins rank seventh on the Tar Heels' all-time list.
"He has a high ceiling," McLeod said. "He arguably has the best arm in the draft. We're really excited in the class and the potential they all have."
Red Sox scout Jeff Zona recommended Bard, who was ranked the 15th overall prospect and the No. 13 pitching prospect in the draft by Baseball America.
With Bard's signing, Boston has signed 27 of the 54 players it selected in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft, including each of its first 13 picks.
"We're excited," McLeod said of the club's draft class. "We took some great guys who have a chance to make a big impression on us. The future of the organization looks bright."
Bard owns four career complete games and three shutouts, and has made at least 14 starts while working at least 85 innings in each season at North Carolina.
He played a key role as the Tar Heels advanced to the finals of the 2006 College World Series in Omaha. He earned the win in UNC's regional title victory over Winthrop and defeated Cal-State Fullerton in the game that sent the Tar Heels to the CWS Finals versus Oregon State. Bard was the starter and loser in the deciding third game of the championship series, allowing six hits and three runs -- one earned -- in 7 2/3 innings in a 3-2 defeat.
The resident of Charlotte, N.C., and a graduate of Charlotte Christian High School pitched for the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod League in 2005, going 3-3 with a 1.25 ERA and 82 strikeouts in 65 innings of work. He led the league in strikeouts and ranked third in ERA. Named to Baseball America's College Summer All-America Second Team and rated the league's No. 2 prospect, he started the 2005 Cape League All-Star Game for the West Division and earned MVP honors.
Bard was originally drafted in the 20th round in 2003 by the New York Yankees but did not sign.
"The biggest thing was maturing," Bard said of his decision not to go pro when drafted by the Yankees. "I could have played [professionally] right out of high school, but I learned more by going [to college]. I also put on 15 to 20 pounds, my velocity improved and my breaking ball was improved. I'm a more mature player, a more mature pitcher."
With college classes beginning at North Carolina shortly, Bard admitted on Monday that he had a backup plan had the deal with the Red Sox not been finalized.
"I was registered for classes and made a payment as a backup plan," he said. "But I really wanted to get a deal done. I knew it might take some time."
Bard said there are currently no contract provisions for an invitation to Major League Spring Training in 2007, but added that could change later this fall.
ST. PETERSBURG -- Francisco Liriano's return to the Twins took a big step forward on Monday. The electric young left-hander threw 73 pitches off the mound in the bullpen, tossing an array of fastballs, changeups and sliders with ease. The next step comes on Wednesday, when he'll face live batters in a simulated game at Tropicana Field.
"I've not even gone out to watch," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He said he feels great, and he has a good smile on his face."
Liriano (12-3, 2.19 ERA) still had a small crowd as pitching coach Rick Anderson and four or five others watched the 22-year-old rookie toss. He began throwing long toss, which he did for the first time since Aug. 22. Liriano threw his first bullpen session since going on the disabled list on Aug. 10.
"Everybody says everything is going along exactly the way you want it to," Gardenhire said. "We're always guarded. We don't want any setbacks."
The team will make a decision on Liriano's future, provided everything goes well on Wednesday, once he returns home.
Radke appearance: Pitcher Brad Radke, a Tampa native, joined the team in St. Petersburg after learning on Friday that he had a stress fracture in his pitching shoulder.
"He's not glad he has a fractured shoulder, but he's happy to find out something," Gardenhire said. "He just didn't know. He knew he was hurting, but he didn't know why."
Radke had been scheduled to pitch on Saturday, but he still had lingering pain after two cortisone shots in two months. A second MRI revealed the unique injury, which is a stress fracture of the glenoid bone.
"I'm not going to touch a ball for a couple of weeks, and hope it heals," Radke said.
Radke said he hopes to be healthy enough to make one or two starts before the end of the season, but the 11-year veteran may have thrown his last pitch if he can't recover by then.
"I don't think there will be a next spring," Radke said.
Rabe returns: The team recalled outfielder Josh Rabe from Triple-A Rochester, where he batted .299 in 93 games for the Red Wings. The 27-year-old outfielder made his Major League debut in July, batting .311 in 19 games.
His return gives the team more flexibility and the ability to spell players for some much-needed rest, especially in September, when the Twins have just one scheduled off-day.
"The grind will wear you out," Gardenhire said. "That's why we bring all these guys up here."
Gardenhire was a man of his word on Monday, allowing Justin Morneau the chance to DH, while the newly acquired Phil Nevin played first.
Castillo a go: Second baseman Luis Castillo was back at the top of the lineup on Monday after missing four straight games with soreness in his right ankle. The 30-year-old Castillo had hit in nine out of 10 games before suffering the mild ankle sprain.
Coming up: The Twins and ace Johan Santana (16-5, 2.95 ERA) will face the Devil Rays at 6:15 p.m. CT on Tuesday in the second game of a three-game set. Tampa Bay will send right-hander Jae Seo (3-9, 5.13).
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