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Blue Jays Release Francisco Liriano

By Connor Byrne | March 29, 2021 at 7:04pm CDT

The Blue Jays have granted left-hander Francisco Liriano his release, tweets Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi, who notes that the veteran had an opt-out over the weekend.

This news means Liriano is unlikely to have a second tenure in the majors as a member of the Blue Jays, with whom he pitched from 2016-17. Liriano worked almost exclusively as a start then, but he spent this spring vying for a role in Toronto’s bullpen. The 37-year-old was highly effective, as he tossed 7 1/3 scoreless innings of four-hit, three-walk ball with six strikeouts, but that wasn’t enough to earn a role in the Blue Jays’ season-opening relief corps. It appears they’ll go into the season with Tim Mayza and Ryan Borucki as the primary lefties in their bullpen.

Liriano, who signed a minors deal in the offseason, will head back to the free-agent market with a solid resume. While Liriano hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2019, he does own a lifetime 4.15 ERA in a combined 1,813 2/3 innings with several teams.

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Toronto Blue Jays Transactions Francisco Liriano

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View Comments (27)
Post a Comment

27 Comments

  1. creacher

    5 years ago

    Quick change was needed. I was like wtf??? Ahahahaha

    Reply
  2. wastingtroutsprime

    5 years ago

    Lindor hahaha

    Reply
  3. notpablo

    5 years ago

    Francisco Lindor?!

    Reply
  4. freerusneycastillo

    5 years ago

    bro.

    Reply
  5. EliMorganFanClub

    5 years ago

    I’m pretty sure I saw Lindor

    Reply
  6. dwightgoodenspinkynail

    5 years ago

    It’s okay, I have Lindor on my mind a lot these days too.

    Reply
  7. kimball0401

    5 years ago

    Thought I was the only one who saw that

    Reply
  8. walls17

    5 years ago

    This said Lindor at first lol. I thought MLBTR was giving us a little early April Fools joke or something.

    Reply
  9. dman07

    5 years ago

    Wow! Beyond classic

    Reply
  10. coquigo

    5 years ago

    The Lindor notification caused a lot of confusion for a short second

    Reply
  11. el jefe

    5 years ago

    Ha! I thought I was just “seeing things” due to my Mets homer-ism.

    Reply
  12. Nothing

    5 years ago

    This is a weird one. Thought he had pitched well enough to make the team. Guess they wanted to give Mayza a shot.

    Reply
    • jdgoat

      5 years ago

      Bergen also had a pretty good spring so he’s the depth they have on hand. Can’t blame Liriano for wanting to try and catch on somewhere else and not sticking around in the minors.

      Reply
    • smuzqwpdmx

      5 years ago

      Maybe it’s about keeping a 40 man roster spot for somebody else. Mayza was already on the 40 man, Liriano wasn’t.

      Reply
  13. bluejays92

    5 years ago

    I hope that Liriano finds a spot somewhere else. Even though his days are numbered in the Majors, he could still be a decent relief option for some team that needs a lefty. He’s at least worth a look.

    1
    Reply
    • ctyank7

      5 years ago

      Liriano would be a good fit with either the Yankees or Phillies, both of whom are short of bullpen lefties.

      1
      Reply
  14. DarkSide830

    5 years ago

    hmm, back to Philly? hopefully that bridge hasnt burned.

    Reply
  15. AC Surf Baseball

    5 years ago

    I dont know why teams arent giving Liriano a shot. He’s a savvy, established big leaguer who’s had a respectable career. He could still be effective out of someone’s pen in my opinion.

    1
    Reply
  16. deron867

    5 years ago

    Here come the O’s. If they don’t at least sniff at this I’d be very surprised.

    1
    Reply
  17. its_happening

    5 years ago

    Liriano couldn’t have done any more to convince the Jays he should make the team. He pitched well. But the Jays would rather have Payamps than drop him. He’d be the odd man out on the 40-man. Presumably Mayza replaces Yates on the 40 (Yates to IL). Bergen now has a chance to make the team.

    Reply
  18. davemlaw

    5 years ago

    Last man standing from the infamous AJ Pierzynski trade that haunted Giant fans for years.
    Giants gave up a generational closer in Joe Nathan, ROY candidate in Liriano and a guy name Boof Bonser for AJ (I don’t like the Giants) P. It took a World Series and 2 Cy Youngs from Lincecum to make me forget about that trade.

    3
    Reply
  19. jimmertee

    5 years ago

    Perhaps they were doing Liriano a favor by allowing the showcase. Liriano was likely never going to make they team. Besides, where Liriano is in his career, he is know as a “heart attack reliever”. – He can get the job done but he gives the manager a heart attack.

    Besides pitching well in spring training is not enough these days. As Pat Gillick said, “you don’t evaluate a player based on spring training or September play.”

    2
    Reply
  20. bighiggy

    5 years ago

    Woukdnt mund seeing liriano in the cards pen. Webb is okay but I think liriano could be better. Maybe send webb and sosa somewhere for a low level prospect.

    Reply
  21. BrooksUnitas

    5 years ago

    No way. O’s sending scouts to see if Jamie Moyer has any interest in working out of the bullpen.

    Reply
  22. Gordie09

    5 years ago

    What is the status of Travis Bergen / Tommy Milone? i liked Travis this spring, more depth in LH relievers.

    Reply
  23. Orioles Fan

    5 years ago

    The next pitcher the Orioles sign.

    Reply
  24. Waittillthisyear

    5 years ago

    Come back to the Twins, Francisco. Even if it’s a minor league deal for now, I have a feeling you’ll be brought up soon.

    Reply

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