Pirates Name Opening Day Starter
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) - Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle alluded to the fact that he knew who would be the team opening day starter early in spring training, but it wasn't until Tuesday that he made his intentions known to the public.
Hurdle has named veteran Francisco Liriano the teams opening day starter for Monday, April 6th when they open the season on the road against the Cincinnati Reds in an NL Central matchup.
Liriano is coming off a year in which he dealt with injuries early in the season going 7-10 with a 3.38 ERA in 29 starts.
Liriano re-signed with the Pirates this offseason getting a three-year deal worth $39 million.
According to Hurdle, the rotation will be:
- Francisco Liriano
- Gerrit Cole
- AJ Burnett
- Vance Worley / Jeff Locke
- Charlie Morton
The fourth spot in the rotation is still up for grabs between Worley and Locke.
It's not yet known who will be the Pirates starter for the home opener on Monday, April 13th when the team hosts the Detroit Tigers.