Twins trade Liriano to division rival White Sox

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The Chicago White Sox have acquired left-handed pitcher Francisco Liriano from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for shortstop Eduardo Escobar and pitching prospect Pedro Hernandez.

The AL Central-leading White Sox posted the news on Twitter late Saturday night after the Twins beat the Cleveland Indians and Chicago won in Texas. ESPN and the Minneapolis Star Tribune also reported the news.

Liriano made his major league debut with the Twins in 2005. He was an All-Star in 2006 and was expected to be one of the Twins' top starters before undergoing reconstructive elbow surgery later that same year. He threw a no-hitter last season, but has been inconsistent throughout his career.

The 28-year-old Liriano is 3-10 this season with a 5.31 ERA in 22 appearances — 17 starts. He was demoted to the bullpen in mid-May when his ERA was 9.45.

Escobar, 23, is hitting .207 (18 for 87) with four doubles and three RBIs in 36 games for the White Sox.

Hernandez is also 23. He has split time at Double- and Triple-A this year, going 8-2 with a 2.94 ERA. He made his big league debut against Boston on July 18 and allowed eight runs in four innings.

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