Pirates' Liriano set to return
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Cincinnati, OH (SportsNetwork.com) - Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Francisco Liriano will make his first major league start in a month when the team wraps up its first half Sunday in Cincinnati.
Liriano, sidelined since June 10 with a strained left oblique, was activated from the 15-day disabled list to pitch Sunday's game against the Reds.
The 2013 National League Comeback Player of the Year had been struggling prior to the injury, posting a lackluster 1-6 record with a 4.60 ERA in 14 starts. Liriano went 16-8 with a 3.02 ERA last season to help the Pirates reach the playoffs for the first time since 1992.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Liriano tuned up for Sunday's assignment with a sharp six-inning stint for Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday, yielding no runs and just three hits while striking out eight.
Infielder Matt Hague was optioned to Indianapolis to make room for Liriano on the active roster.