It's official: Liriano to return in Cincinnati

ST. LOUIS -- Francisco Liriano will make his comeback start on Sunday in Cincinnati, bumping right-hander Vance Worley into the bullpen for the final series prior to the All-Star break.

Liriano went on the disabled list on June 11 with a strained left oblique and on Monday completed his rehab with six shutout innings for Triple-A Indianapolis.

Worley will help out in relief for the short-term; the Pirates' staff will soon determine the club's post-break rotation and Worley's role in it.

"We'll have Worley throw his regular bullpen [on Thursday], then see if he'll be available out of the bullpen Saturday and Sunday," manager Clint Hurdle said. "We still have to talk through how we'll break out in the second half. That's always a challenge with the four days down -- Who can provide us with the biggest impact as we kick off the second half?"

For the three-game set against the Reds, the Pirates will have left-handers Jeff Locke and Liriano bookending right-hander Charlie Morton.