Left-hander Francisco Liriano will get the ball as the Pittsburgh Pirates’ opening day starter for the second season in a row.
After Liriano takes the mound for the opener in Cincinnati against the Reds on April 6, he will be followed by right-handers Gerrit Cole and A.J. Burnett, manager Clint Hurdle said Tuesday.
The other two spots in the starting rotation will go to right-hander Charlie Morton and either right-hander Vance Worley or left-hander Jeff Locke.
The 31-year Liriano, who signed a three-year, $39 million contract during the offseason, posted a 7-10 record with a 3.38 ERA last year in 29 starts. He has a 76-72 career record with a 4.08 ERA in 223 games, including 196 starts, for the Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox and Pirates.