Clint Hurdle told reporters Friday that because of Gerrit Cole’s injury, it will be Francisco Liriano gets the opportunity to pitch opening day Sunday for the Pittsburgh Pirates April 3 against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Cole has not yet appeared in a game because of right rib inflammation. As a result his first Spring Training appearance has been delayed and will be Sunday against the Detroit Tigers.
Hurdle further told reporters that while Cole is now healthy Cole did not start his throwing program in time and will not reach six innings and 100 pitches in time for Opening Day.
This role is one that Liriano has seen. Though Cole will still be viewed as the staff’s ace once he returns to the pitching rotation, Liriano has started the past two openers, so this will not be unfamiliar territory.
An injury prone pitcher before the Pirates acquired him, Liriano has made 86 starts in three seasons with the team. His 31 starts last season tied a career-high he set in 2010 with the Minnesota Twins. Liriano also had 205 strikeouts last season, also a career-high. He had a 12-7 record with a 3.38 ERA in his 2015 season.
Liriano has had two different results in his two outings thus far in Spring Training. He pitched two shutout innings and struck out four batters Mar. 4 against the Minnesota Twins and this past Thursday gave up two runs on five hits in three innings versus the Tampa Bay Rays while taking the loss. Liriano is 0-1 with a 3.60 ERA this Spring.
According to Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Liriano joins Cy Blanton, Bob Friend, Bob Veale and Doug Drabek as Pirates pitchers who have been able to start three Opening Days.
Liriano’s mound opponent barring injury will be Adam Wainwright, and this has been known since Feb. 21, Wainwright ruptured his left Achilles tendon early in the season, came back quicker then expected and did so in a bullpen role.
Freese joins Pirates
The Pirates announced the signing of infielder David Freese to a one year contract Friday afternoon. Freese immediately becomes a member of the 40-man roster as the Pirates designated Jesse Biddle for assignment.
Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review first reported that the contract is worth $3 million.
Last season, Freese vatted .257 with 14 home runs and 56 RBI with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Freese is more known by Pirates fans because of his time with the St. Louis Cardinals from 2009-2013.
Freese’s biggest accomplishment to date was becoming the sixth player ever to win MVP honors in the National League Championship Series as well as the World Series.
It is very possible that Freese could solve the short-term problem at third base if Jung Ho Kang is not ready for Opening Day but the former free agent also could platoon with John Jaso over at first base if needed there.
Freese is a .215 (32-149) lifetime hitter at PNC Park with three home runs 20 RBI and 31 strikeouts.
Of note:
The Pirates beat the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 in their Spring Training game Friday.
Juan Nicasio continued to get stretched out as a starter and had a scoreless three-inning outing. Nicasio allowed three hits and walked a batter, but struck out three Rays Friday. He has pitched six scoreless innings in three outings this spring.
Mark Melancon put up another zero in a Spring Training appearance. It appears his velocity, which came into question early last season is not an issue.
Tony Watson allowed a home run to Taylor Motter in the fifth inning at the time tying the game at one.
Down 3-1 the Pirates rallied in the bottom of the eighth inning with Gift Ngoepe’s single being the game-winning hit.
Power had been lacking from the Pirates this spring, but the missing home runs were halted by Andrew McCutchen’s solo shot in the fourth inning off Jake Odorizzi.
The Pirates will face the Tigers Saturday with Jeff Locke pitching against Mike Pelfrey. John Holdzkom, Eric O’Flaherty, Jorge Rondon and Curtis Partsch are all scheduled to pitch for the Pirates.
