Liriano announced his retirement from baseball Monday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
Liriano spent 14 seasons in the majors, pitching for the Twins, White Sox, Pirates, Blue Jays, Astros and Tigers. The last of those came in 2019, when he posted a 3.47 ERA as a reliever for Pittsburgh. His career resume includes 112 wins, 1,815 strikeouts, a no-hitter, an All-Star appearance and a World Series title as a member of the 2017 Astros.
Liriano didn't allow a run out of the bullpen in spring training, striking out seven while issuing three walks over 7.1 innings. He'll search for work elsewhere following his release from Toronto.
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Blue Jays' Francisco Liriano: Not in starting mix
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Liriano isn't under consideration for a rotation spot but could be used as an opener or reliever, Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star reports.
Liriano isn't a lock to make the team, as he's in camp as a non-roster invitee and didn't pitch at all last season. He was a starter for most of his career but turned in a solid season of relief in 2019, posting a 3.47 ERA in 70.0 innings for the Pirates. If he does win a bullpen spot, however, it's unlikely to be in a fantasy-relevant role.
Liriano signed a minor-league deal with the Blue Jays on Tuesday that includes an invitation to big-league camp, Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun reports.
The 27-year-old signed with the Phillies last offseason, but he was released in July and opted out of the 2020 season a couple weeks later. Liriano pitched well out of the bullpen for Pittsburgh in 2019 with a 3.47 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 63:35 K:BB over 70 innings, so he should have a strong chance of cracking the Opening Day roster with a decent showing in spring training.
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Francisco Liriano: Wants to play in 2021
Rotowire
Liriano intends to resume his playing career in 2021, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
Liriano received offers from multiple teams last winter, ultimately signing with the Phillies on a minor-league deal worth up to $1.75 million. After the coronavirus pandemic delayed the season until the summer, however, Liriano elected to opt out of the 2020 campaign shortly before Opening Day. Though he turned 37 in October, Liriano isn't ready to retire yet, so he shouldn't have much trouble landing another minor-league deal this offseason. Liriano found success after converting to a full-time relief role with Pittsburgh in 2019, logging a 3.47 ERA and 63 strikeouts over 70 innings.
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Francisco Liriano: Opting out of season
Rotowire
Liriano announced Sunday he is opting out of the 2020 season, freelance baseball writer Robert Murray reports.
The veteran southpaw was with the Phillies in summer camp before being released in mid-July, and he'll sit out 2020 rather than signing on with another team. Liriano was already contemplating his status before ultimately reporting to camp, so it's not a major surprise he decided to opt out. The 36-year-old had a 3.47 ERA and 1.36 WHIP with the Pirates last season and figures to draw some interest again during the offseason.
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Francisco Liriano: Let go by Phillies
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Liriano was released by the Phillies on Saturday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Liriano was slightly late to camp while contemplating whether to play amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but he appeared to have plenty of time to get his arm conditioned. However, he'll become a free agent with less than a week remaining until Opening Day. Given the 36-year-old's uncertainty regarding his playing status during the abbreviated 2020 season, it wouldn't be surprising to see him wait until the offseason to sign if he receives another contract.
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Phillies' Francisco Liriano: Back at camp
Rotowire
Liriano threw an abbreviated bullpen session Wednesday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Liriano was absent when the Phillies began summer camp last week while he weighed the risk of attempting to play amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but he's apparently elected to opt in for the 2020 season. A full-time reliever at this stage in his career, Liriano won't require much time to get his arm conditioned for competition, so he should have a good chance at winning a spot on the 30-man Opening Day roster.
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Phillies' Francisco Liriano: Part of 60-man in Philly
Rotowire
Liriano will be part of the Phillies' 60-man roster.
Liriano signed with Philly on a minor-league deal in January and had yet to be added to the 40-man roster. The lefty converted to a full-time relief role in 2019, appearing out of the bullpen 69 times for the Pirates and posting his best ERA (3.47) since 2015. That doesn't necessarily mean a spike in fantasy value is on the horizon, as a 4.53 FIP suggests some regression, and he's unlikely to factor into the closer mix in the Philadelphia bullpen.
Phillies' Francisco Liriano: Lands minors deal from Philadephia
Rotowire
Liriano agreed Wednesday with the Phillies on a minor-league contract, freelance baseball writer Robert Murray reports. The deal is worth up $1.5 million at the major-league level and includes up to $1.25 million in incentives.
Though Liriano will be attending spring training as a non-roster invitee, he'll have a legitimate chance to claim a spot on the Phillies' Opening Day squad as a left-handed option out of the bullpen. After a few down years as a starter, the one-time All-Star made a full-time move to relief in 2019, churning out a 3.47 ERA and 63:35 K:BB in 70 innings with Pittsburgh. While he wasn't overly dominant versus same-handed hitters (.295 wOBA), Liriano at least held his own against righties (.312 wOBA), something that may bolster his case for sticking around in the big leagues with the three-batter minimum going into effect in 2020.
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Pirates' Francisco Liriano: Falters against Brew Crew
Rotowire
Liriano allowed three runs (one earned) on three hits without retiring a batter in Monday's 9-7 loss to the Brewers.
Second baseman Adam Frazier's error put the leadoff man on before three straight singles doomed Liriano's night. The lefty has allowed seven runs in 2.2 innings over his last four outings -- with just two of those runs earned -- due to a porous defense. Liriano has made a smooth transition from starter to reliever in 2019, registering a 3.31 ERA in 51.2 innings. A 48:26 K:BB includes an 11.7 walk percentage -- above his career rate of 10.5 percent -- but batters have had difficulty squaring up his 92.8 mph fastball. He's also mixing in an effective changeup more than ever, throwing it a career-high 26.9 percent of the time. While Liriano is not in the mix for saves, he has recorded eight holds.
