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Pitcher Liriano passes physical for Pirates
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Left-hander Francisco Liriano, who agreed to terms with the Pirates in late December before a broken right humerus delayed the contract, passed a physical today, according to a source.
Liriano, 29, originally agreed to a two-year, $12.75 million contract, but did not take his physical before he broke his arm.
Fox Sports reported in January that Liriano agreed to terms on a new contract that reduced Liriano's 2013 salary if he missed time this season because of the broken arm.
While Liriano recovers, Jeff Locke and Kyle McPherson will compete for the final spot in the Pirates' rotation behind A.J. Burnett, Wandy Rodriguez, James McDonald and Jeff Karstens. The fight for a rotation spot will intensify in the second half of the season, when Charlie Morton should be ready to return after Tommy John ligament replacement surgery and top prospect Gerrit Cole may be ready to make his debut.
The Pirates prepared for the possibility that they would not sign Liriano by bringing back Karstens and adding left-hander Jonathan Sanchez on a minor league contract.
Liriano can strike out batters, but has struggled with his control in recent seasons. He walked at least 75 batters in each of the past two seasons.
He pitched 1912/3 innings in 2010, when he struck out 201 batters with a 3.62 ERA, but had a combined 5.23 ERA in 2011 and '12.
Fox Sports first reported earlier Thursday that Liriano passed his physical.
First Published February 8, 2013 3:04 pm
