Some quick off-day notes:

(*) Twins pitcher Scott Baker, who is on the disabled list with a strained right groin, pitched five pain-free innings in an extended spring training game today in Florida.

Baker allowed four hits and one earned run, with four strikeouts and no walks. Twins GM Bill Smith said Baker will be checked out Tuesday, but the reports were good, and Baker will likely pitch in another extended spring game Saturday.

(*) Smith said Nick Punto (strained left hamstring) played five innings in an extended spring game Sunday and had six at-bats. The report said Punto was healthy but rusty, Smith said.

Manager Ron Gardenhire thought it was possible Punto could be activated from the DL this week, while the team is in Kansas City, but Smith said that won’t happen.

Punto’s wife, Natalie, is due to give birth to the couple’s first child Friday. Punto will continue his rehab in Floriday, fly back to Minnesota for the birth, and the Twins will see how he progresses.

(*) Francisco Liriano gave up six runs on seven hits in 6 2/3 innings today for Class AAA Rochester. He walked one and struck out four.

I don’t think it was a step back. If you read the play-by-play from his outing, you see that he got two quick outs in the fifth inning before Charlotte loaded the bases and Brad Eldred hit a grand slam.

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