Get to know Francisco Liriano, the newest member of the Houston Astros

(Getty Images)

HOUSTON – The Astros traded outfielders Nori Aoki and Teoscar Hernandez for left-handed pitcher Francisco Liriano just before the trade deadline Monday.

Houston was expected to make a move, and Liriano, who made his MLB debut on Sept. 5, 2005, with the Twins, is expected to be used as a left-handed arm out of the bullpen. A lefty bullpen arm was a need for the Astros, who, before the deal, only had Tony Sipp throwing from that side of the mound out of the bullpen.

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Liriano is 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs about 225 pounds. He was born in San Crisobal, Dominican Republic, on Oct. 26, 1983.

Liriano has been named MLB's Comeback Player of the Year twice in his career: first in 2010 for the American League and again 2013 in the National League. He threw his one and only no-hitter on May 3, 2011.

He has pitched for the Minnesota Twins (7 years), Pittsburgh Pirates (4 years), Toronto Blue Jays (2 years) and Chicago White Sox (1 year).

Liriano's pitch repertoire includes a four-seam and a two-seam fastball that are both clocked around 93 MPH. He also throws a slider in the mid 80s and a changeup. He has a 43 percent whiff rate on his slider for his career.

Liriano's arrival to spring training in 2008 was delayed due to visa problems caused by an arrest in 2006 for drunk driving, according to reports.

 

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