Pirates southpaw Francisco Liriano was scratched from his scheduled start Saturday against the Brewers just minutes before first pitch due to tightness in his neck. But it’s only a minor thing.
Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Liriano made it through a side session Monday without issue and is scheduled to take his next turn in the rotation this Thursday night versus the Nationals. Vance Worley started in his place on Saturday night at Miller Park and surrendered five runs -- four earned -- over just four innings.
Liriano owns a stellar 2.98 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and 125/39 K/BB ratio in 114 2/3 innings this season for the Pirates, who currently hold the third-best record (54-39) in Major League Baseball. They’re in the midst of a big three-game series in Kansas City.