PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates placed left-handed starter Francisco Liriano on the disabled list because of a strained left oblique Wednesday, a day after he left a start in the fourth inning when he felt discomfort while throwing a pitch.

Liriano, who was the Pirates’ best starter last season and helped lead them to their first playoff berth in 21 years, is 1-6 with a 3.96 ERA in 14 starts this season. He became MLB’s only two-time comeback player of the year honoree when he won the award in the NL last season.

Liriano bent over and held his back after throwing a pitch to the Chicago Cubs’ Anthony Rizzo during a loss Tuesday. Liriano, who led the Pirates with 16 wins in 26 starts last season, left the mound after a few warmup pitches.

He also left an April 26 start in St. Louis after two innings because of flu-like symptoms.

Liriano was replaced on the Pirates roster by right-handed reliever Stolmy Pimentel, who was recalled from his rehabilitation assignment and reinstated from the disabled list.

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