Pirates' Radhames Liz: 'My mental approach is different'

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Pirates pitcher Radhames Liz made his first start of the spring Thursday, giving up one earned run on two hits and one walk in two innings while striking out one in his team's 6-4 loss to the Orioles.

Liz, who hasn't made a major-league appearance since 2009, was asked after the outing what has changed in the last six years.

"I'm different," Liz said, per MLB.com. "My mental approach is different. Those days, I didn't know what I was doing, [I] was just throwing as hard as I could. Now I'm mentally strong, just trying to make the pitches I need to get the hitter out. It's real exciting to be back. [Pirates manager Clint] Hurdle said they're going to give me innings, maybe use me in long relief. I'm OK with that -- it's still baseball."

Liz is expected to open the season in the Pirates bullpen. He has surrendered two earned runs in seven innings this spring while striking out three and walking three.