Liriano could be valuable bullpen weapon

TORONTO — Francisco Liriano was passed over as the Blue Jays’ starter for Tuesday’s American League Wild Card Game against the Orioles, but his presence in the bullpen could still become an X-factor in this matchup between division rivals.

Liriano received some consideration for the pivotal outing, but instead Toronto decided to go with Marcus Stroman. That left Liriano on the outside looking in, but that doesn’t mean he will become the odd man out in this must-win game on Tuesday night at Rogers Centre at 8 p.m. ET on Sportsnet (English) and RDS (French) in Canada and on TBS in the United States.

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons has been searching for answers in the bullpen ever since right-hander Joaquin Benoit tore his left calf muscle in late September. Middle relief has been a glaring weakness ever since, but Liriano’s transition to a new role could become the solution.

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“I’ll do anything to help the team win the ballgame,” Liriano said. “Whatever I can do, I’ll do it. Some people get nervous and they get too excited sometimes doing too much. To me, I just go out there trying to have a good time and enjoy myself, not try and do too much, executing pitches and try to throw strikes.”

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