NEW YORK (AP) — Francisco Liriano is set to come off the disabled list and make his Pittsburgh Pirates debut Saturday against the New York Mets.
The left-hander has been sidelined all season while recovering from a broken right arm. He made five minor league rehab starts — three for Triple-A Indianapolis — and struck out 33 with four walks in 21 2-3 innings. He was 2-1 with a 4.15 ERA.
Pittsburgh plans to clear a roster spot sometime after Friday night’s game or early Saturday. Pirates manager Clint Hurdle says the 29-year-old Liriano won’t be on a strict pitch count after throwing 98 on Sunday in his third outing for Indianapolis.
The team hopes Liriano can help fortify a rotation minus injured James McDonald and left-hander Jonathan Sanchez, who was released Wednesday.
