Every year baseball is good for some really bizarre injuries, and this year’s crop got started a little early, apparently.
Back on Christmas, it appeared that left-handed starter Francisco Liriano had agreed to terms with the Pittsburgh Pirates. That contract was said to be a two-year, $13 million deal. However, some unknown physical issues scuttled the deal, and eventually Liriano agreed to a contract with a baseline of one year and $1 million.
Well, now we know what those physical issues are and what caused them.
According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Liriano broke his right humerus slamming his arm into a door on Christmas Day in an attempt to scare his children, who were in the next room. Liriano was scheduled to fly to the United States from the Dominican Republic the next day, but after a trip to the emergency room, where his broken arm was diagnosed, he had to call his agent to say he couldn’t make the flight.
“At first he thought I was joking,” said Liriano. “It was sad and disappointing a little bit. Things happen. I wish I could take it back.”
Liriano is still wearing a soft cast on his arm, and says he’s still experiencing some swelling in the area. Although his new contract does include incentives which could push it close to the same value as the original one, he’ll be targeting a May return to the mound this year.
Photo via Flickr/Keith Allison
