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Pittsburgh Pirates left-handed starting pitcher Francisco Liriano began his minor league rehab assignment last night, logging three hitless innings for the team's Single-A affiliate.
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Liriano was perfect over his three innings of work for High-A Bradenton while striking out six batters. He will require at least two more starts in the minors before he joins the Pirates.
It was a good first step for the southpaw, who's recovering from a broken non-pitching arm he suffered over the offseason. Liriano sustained his injury when he banged on a door in his house on Christmas Day during an attempt to scare his children. Can't make this stuff up.
The Pirates had initially signed Liriano to a two-year, $12.75 million contract, but that was before word of his unusual injury. The deal wasn't finalized, and Pittsburgh ultimately signed the left-hander to a contract that guarantees him $1 million.
Liriano spent the 2012 season with the Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox, making a combined 34 appearances -- including 28 starts -- while maintaining an ERA of 5.34. Over parts of seven seasons in the majors, the 29-year-old owns a career ERA of 4.40.