The Blue Jays have granted left-hander Francisco Liriano his release, tweets Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi, who notes that the veteran had an opt-out over the weekend.
This news means Liriano is unlikely to have a second tenure in the majors as a member of the Blue Jays, with whom he pitched from 2016-17. Liriano worked almost exclusively as a start then, but he spent this spring vying for a role in Toronto’s bullpen. The 37-year-old was highly effective, as he tossed 7 1/3 scoreless innings of four-hit, three-walk ball with six strikeouts, but that wasn’t enough to earn a role in the Blue Jays’ season-opening relief corps. It appears they’ll go into the season with Tim Mayza and Ryan Borucki as the primary lefties in their bullpen.
Liriano, who signed a minors deal in the offseason, will head back to the free-agent market with a solid resume. While Liriano hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2019, he does own a lifetime 4.15 ERA in a combined 1,813 2/3 innings with several teams.
Quick change was needed. I was like wtf??? Ahahahaha
Lindor hahaha
Francisco Lindor?!
bro.
I’m pretty sure I saw Lindor
It’s okay, I have Lindor on my mind a lot these days too.
Thought I was the only one who saw that
This said Lindor at first lol. I thought MLBTR was giving us a little early April Fools joke or something.
Wow! Beyond classic
The Lindor notification caused a lot of confusion for a short second
Ha! I thought I was just “seeing things” due to my Mets homer-ism.
This is a weird one. Thought he had pitched well enough to make the team. Guess they wanted to give Mayza a shot.
Bergen also had a pretty good spring so he’s the depth they have on hand. Can’t blame Liriano for wanting to try and catch on somewhere else and not sticking around in the minors.
Maybe it’s about keeping a 40 man roster spot for somebody else. Mayza was already on the 40 man, Liriano wasn’t.
I hope that Liriano finds a spot somewhere else. Even though his days are numbered in the Majors, he could still be a decent relief option for some team that needs a lefty. He’s at least worth a look.
Liriano would be a good fit with either the Yankees or Phillies, both of whom are short of bullpen lefties.
hmm, back to Philly? hopefully that bridge hasnt burned.
I dont know why teams arent giving Liriano a shot. He’s a savvy, established big leaguer who’s had a respectable career. He could still be effective out of someone’s pen in my opinion.
Here come the O’s. If they don’t at least sniff at this I’d be very surprised.
Liriano couldn’t have done any more to convince the Jays he should make the team. He pitched well. But the Jays would rather have Payamps than drop him. He’d be the odd man out on the 40-man. Presumably Mayza replaces Yates on the 40 (Yates to IL). Bergen now has a chance to make the team.
Last man standing from the infamous AJ Pierzynski trade that haunted Giant fans for years.
Giants gave up a generational closer in Joe Nathan, ROY candidate in Liriano and a guy name Boof Bonser for AJ (I don’t like the Giants) P. It took a World Series and 2 Cy Youngs from Lincecum to make me forget about that trade.
Perhaps they were doing Liriano a favor by allowing the showcase. Liriano was likely never going to make they team. Besides, where Liriano is in his career, he is know as a “heart attack reliever”. – He can get the job done but he gives the manager a heart attack.
Besides pitching well in spring training is not enough these days. As Pat Gillick said, “you don’t evaluate a player based on spring training or September play.”
Woukdnt mund seeing liriano in the cards pen. Webb is okay but I think liriano could be better. Maybe send webb and sosa somewhere for a low level prospect.
No way. O’s sending scouts to see if Jamie Moyer has any interest in working out of the bullpen.
What is the status of Travis Bergen / Tommy Milone? i liked Travis this spring, more depth in LH relievers.
The next pitcher the Orioles sign.
Come back to the Twins, Francisco. Even if it’s a minor league deal for now, I have a feeling you’ll be brought up soon.