Liriano, Cabrera to be added to 25-man roster taken in Bradenton, Fla. (Courtesy of StepOutside.org)

MELKY CABRERA - AP

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Francisco Liriano and Melky Cabrera were told they will be on the opening-day roster by the Pirates on Saturday.

Both had been in spring training as non-roster invitees. Liriano will have a $1.8-million salary and Cabrera’s will be $1.15 million.

Liriano made the team despite having an erratic spring while making the transition from starting pitcher to reliever. The left-hander has allowed five runs and seven hits in 9 2/3 innings with nine walks and eight strikeouts.

Saturday was the deadline for the Pirates to inform Liriano and Cabrera if they were going to be added to the roster. The moves will become official Thursday before the regular-season opener that day against the Reds at Cincinnati.

Liriano admitted he did not sleep well Friday night.

"I was nervous. I didn't know what was going to happen," he said. "I'm happy to be part of the team and being back here in Pittsburgh. It's a big step for me. Now, I've got to keep working and getting better for the season."

Liriano pitched for the Pirates from 2013-15 and was the winning pitcher in the victory over the Reds in the 2013 National League wild card game at PNC Park. It was the Pirates' first postseason game since 1992.

"We still saw the velocity, the action of the slider, the action of the changeup," Neal Huntington said of why the Pirates decided to keep Liriano. "Even as a starter last year, some elements of success. Still has weapons versus left-handers, still can give us multiple innings out of the ‘pen if need be. Just great veteran presence and maturity. Good addition to the clubhouse."

The switch-hitting Cabrera has shown the ability to still put together professional at-bats at 34-years-old but has flashed little power in Grapefruit League play. He is 13-for-42 (.310) with three doubles.

Liriano (35) and Cabrera (34) will be the two oldest players on the Pirates' opening-day roster, barring a late move in the next five days.

"I know I have experience and that I can help the younger guys on this team, but the biggest goal is winning a World Series championship and I want to help this team do that," Cabrera said.

Huntington believes Cabrera can be a valuable player for Clint Hurdle.

"Solid, steady, professional bat," Cabrera said. "Can get his hits from the right side, can get his hits from the left side, another guy that brings some veteran presence to a relatively inexperienced club. Veteran bat off the bench, which managers always love. The value is he can hit left-handers and right-handers. He’ll be adequate in the outfield and will do his best on the bases to be a productive player. The bat, it’s a veteran bat."

PERROTTO’S VIEWS

The addition of Liriano is a bit surprising. He has never been a control pitcher, but his lack of command could quickly prove to be problematic working out of the bullpen in the regular season.

Cabrera is a below-average defender and doesn’t run well anymore. However, he has a good line-drive stroke from both sides of the plate and should help in a pinch-hitting role.

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