Liriano debuts with the Tigers
Throws two scoreless against Yankees
Detroit left-hander Francisco Liriano threw two scoreless innings against the New York Yankees in his first start with the Tigers.
Liriano allowed one hit, walked two and struck out three in the Tigers’ 7-2 loss.
Liriano worked out of a two-on, one-out jam in the first by striking out Giancarlo Stanton and Gary Sanchez. He induced a doubleplay grounder from Miguel Andujar to end the second.
“My main focus this year is to eliminate the walks and make something happen in three pitches or less,” Liriano said. “That’s what I’m working on right now. I missed my spots a little bit in my first outing. Trying too hard to prove something in the first outing.”
Detroit agreed to a $4 million, one-year contract with Liriano Feb. 23, giving the Tigers added pitching depth.
The 34-year-old was 6-7 with a 4.62 ERA in 18 starts last season with Toronto and 20 relief appearances with World Series champion Houston, which acquired him at the July 31 trade deadline. He is 102-99 in a 12year big league career.
Nationals
Seth Romero, a top pitching prospect selected by Washington with the 25th overall pick in last year’s draft, was sent home from spring training for violating curfew. A person familiar with the situation said Romero’s girlfriend was at spring training and he stayed out late. “Actions beget consequences. No player is bigger than the organization,” general manager Mike Rizzo said. Romero was kicked off the team during his final season at the University of Houston.
Royals
Outfielder Jon Jay agreed to a $3 million, one-year contract with Kansas City, a deal that allows him to earn an additional $1.5 million in performance bonuses. Jay, who turns 33 on March 15, hit .296 with two homers and 34 RBIs in 141 games last season with the Chicago Cubs, including 13 for 40 (.325) as a pinch hitter.
Rangers
After wearing No. 55 for his entire career, Tim Lincecum will switch to 44 with Texas in honor of his late older brother who wore the number in the minors. Sean Lincecum’s funeral was Saturday, which delayed Tim Lincecum from taking the physical needed to finalize his $1 million, one-year contract with the Rangers. The 33-year-old right-hander will be used as a reliever.
Athletics
Designated hitter Brandon Moss was released by Oakland two days after being designated for assignment. Moss was 4 for 10 with two walks in four spring training games.