Report: Pittsburgh Pirates' Francisco Liriano to return to starting rotation

Pirates starter Francisco Liriano will return to the starting rotation rotation before the All-Star break, after spending nearly a month on the disabled list with a strained oblique, according to a report from Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazzette.

Liriano, who pitched well in his rehab start Monday with Triple-A Indianapolis, has posted a 4.60 ERA with 77 strikeouts and 36 walks in 72 1/3 innings this season. 

The one-time All-Star and two-time Comeback Player of the Year recorded a 3.02 ERA over 161 innings last season, the most he has pitched since 2010 (191.2).

The Pirates currently sit in fourth place in the National League Central and 1.5 games back in the Wild Card race.

-- Chris Johnson