Francisco Liriano Retires

Mike Maulini, the agent for Francisco Liriano told Fansided that the left-handed pitcher has retired, wrapping up a 14-year Major League career. Liriano spent five seasons with the Pirates in two separate stints, the first from 2013-16 and again in 2019, which was the last time he pitched in the big leagues.

Liriano was signed by the Pirates prior to the 2013 and instantly proved to be the anchor of the Bucs’ rotation. That year, he went 16-8 with a 3.02 ERA, finishing ninth in the National League Cy Young race. The efforts turned in that season led then-manager Clint Hurdle to give the nod to Liriano to start the 2013 Wild Card Game, the first playoff game for the Pirates since 1992. Liriano pitched seven dazzling innings giving Pittsburgh their first playoff victory in over two decades.

The next two seasons consisted of more success for the left-hander who posted an identical 3.38 ERA in 2014-15 before struggles plagued Liriano in 2016. This led to a four-player swap that sent Liriano to the Toronto Blue Jays at the trade deadline that season.

Liriano rejoined the Pirates for the 2019 season, this time pitching exclusively out of Pittsburgh’s bullpen. He went 5-3 with a 3.47 ERA in 70 innings of work that season. Liriano finished his Pirates career with a 46-39 record and a 3.65 ERA in 176 appearances.

In addition to Pittsburgh and Toronto, Liriano also spent time with the Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox, Houston Astros and Detroit Tigers. He leaves the game with a career 112-114 record and a 4.15 ERA, pitching a bit shy of 2,000 career innings.