First number, last word

By Tom Singer

February 19, 2014

9-1, 1.55: Francisco Liriano's lifetime record and ERA at PNC Park, where on March 31 he will start off the Pirates' 128th season in the National League.

"What are the odds of 12 guys having great springs? I'd love to see one of those, and for everyone to get through healthy. But it very rarely plays out that way. This would be a great year for that to happen. Even though that would really complicate things."
-- Hurdle, on the anticipated competition for bullpen jobs -- among incumbents, those without remaining options and big-armed prospects.

Tom Singer is a reporter for MLB.com and writes an MLBlog Change for a Nickel. He can also be found on Twitter @Tom_Singer.