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Frankie Is Back: Bucs Ink Liriano

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Francisco Liriano is back with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The 35-year-old left-hander agreed to a minor- league contract with the team Monday that includes an invitation to big league camp.

He pitched for Pittsburgh from 2013-16, going 41-36 with a 3.67 ERA and 659 strikeouts in 107 starts. He earned the victory in Pittsburgh’s win over Cincinnati in the 2013 NL wild card game, allowing one run over seven innings.

Pittsburgh traded Liriano to Toronto on Aug. 1, 2016. He went from Toronto to Houston at the 2017 trade deadline and earned a World Series ring while working out of the bullpen for the Astros. Liriano spent 2018 with the Detroit Tigers, going 5-12 with a 4.58 ERA in 27 games.

The Pirates appear set at the top of their rotation with Jameson Taillon, Chris Archer, Trevor Williams and Joe Musgrove. Liriano could pitch his way into the mix for the fifth spot if he can regain the form he showed during his first tour with Pittsburgh.

Indians acquire RHP Wittgren in trade with Marlins

CLEVELAND (AP) — Looking to reconstruct their bullpen, the Cleveland Indians acquired right-hander Nick Wittgren from the Miami Marlins.

The three-time defending AL Central champions sent right-hander Jordan Milbrath to the Marlins for Wittgren, who made 32 appearances for Miami last season. The 27-year-old posted a 2.94 ERA and also pitched for Triple-A New Orleans.

He has a 3.60 ERA in 118 games for the Marlins over the past three seasons. Wittgren was designated for assignment last week and has one option remaining.

The Indians will spend spring training focused on a replenishing a bullpen that no longer includes franchise saves leader Cody Allen or elite left-hander Andrew Miller. Both signed elsewhere as free agents this offseason.

Brad Hand, who came over in a trade last July, is expected to take over full-time closer duties after mostly setting up last season.

To clear a spot on the 40-man roster, the Indians designated right-hander A.J. Cole for assignment.

Fan struck in head

by batted ball at

Dodger game dies

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A woman died as a result of being struck in the head by a foul ball at Dodger Stadium last August, according to a coroner’s report obtained by ESPN .

Linda Goldbloom was celebrating her 79th birthday and 59th wedding anniversary to her husband at a game Aug. 25 when a ball hit by San Diego’s Franmil Reyes traveled over an area protected by netting and struck Goldbloom in the head. She died four days later at L.A. County-USC Medical Center.

The Los Angeles County coroner’s report said trauma from the batted ball was the cause of death.

The Dodgers said in a statement to ESPN they are “deeply saddened” by Goldbloom’s death and the “matter has been resolved between the Dodgers and the Goldbloom family.”

For the first time last season, all 30 major league ballparks had expanded protective netting that reached to at least the far ends of each dugout. The push for expansion increased in 2017 after a series of spectator injuries.

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