Twins pitcher Francisco Liriano could miss the first week of spring training because of visa problems stemming from his 2006 drunk-driving arrest.

Liriano had planned to travel from his native Dominican Republic to Fort Myers, Fla., on Friday, but the U.S. consulate in Santo Domingo alerted him that he needed to go through an alcohol counseling session before getting his work visa.

New U.S. immigration laws are requiring visa applicants with drunk-driving arrests within the past three years to go through the counseling session. He has an appointment to fulfill his obligations Friday, but it could take 7-10 more days to process his application.

“[The Twins] told me to take it easy and not to worry, that everything is going to come out OK,” Liriano told the Associated Press, which first reported the story.

Twins pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report Sunday, with the first workout scheduled for Monday.

“He is obviously going to cooperate fully,” said Twins General Manager Bill Smith. “We’re going to follow all the guidelines set down by the immigration department and the consulate, and we’ll get him here as soon as possible.”

The good news is Liriano feels he is 100 percent recovered from Tommy John elbow surgery in November 2006. He pitched two innings recently in a scrimmage at the Twins’ Dominican academy in Boca Chica.

Liriano has told team officials that he fully intends to make the Opening Day roster.

“He’s in good shape,” Smith said. “None of this affects his preparation. He’s been throwing. He’s healthy. He’s strong. This is an administrative speed bump.”

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