PITTSBURGH – On a sunny Saturday afternoon at PNC Park, before the Pirates face off against the Milwaukee Brewers at 7:05 PM, good news filtered to the media about the soon-to-be availability of Francisco Liriano. Liriano threw a bullpen session, and his injured hamstring reportedly felt normal as he threw. Liriano, himself, told members of the media that he will be set to pitch again on Tuesday when the Pirates travel to San Diego to face the Padres.
Hurdle was mum on the topic before the game when he was available for questioning from the media, saying that he had to leave before Liriano was finished throwing because of media obligations.
“I was out there when he started, but I wasn’t out there when he finished because of my responsibilities to be here with the media,” Hurdle said. “I’ll wait and talk to Ray before I say anything that I want to be accountable for and say.”
Hurdle then said that he would wait to announce the rotation as the Pirates begin a West Coast road trip on Tuesday, starting at San Diego then moving on to Arizona and Colorado. Liriano could “come into play”, a phrase that Hurdle likes to use, in San Diego.
Liriano is 1-0 this season, winning his Opening Day start, with a 2.45 ERA in 11.0 innings pitched.
As for today, Hurdle acknowledged that all members of the bullpen are available for use, including Rob Scahill, Kyle Lobstein, and A.J. Schugel. Francisco Liriano’s status in the rotation will determine Ryan Vogelsong’s availability in the bullpen, as well.
