For months last year, Rymer Liriano had trouble sleeping.
He was plagued by terrible headaches from the concussion. Sometimes, he would wake up in a panic as he remembered the baseball speeding toward his face.
And he does remember everything from the Brewers’ March 20 game against the Dodgers last spring training, when Matt West’s high, inside pitch struck him on the left side of the face.
He especially remembers the blood rushing from his nose as he lay near the plate. He then was carted off the field on a stretcher to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with multiple facial fractures that required surgery.
“I was real scared,” Liriano said Tuesday at Camelback Ranch. “I never had that happen before. It was so bad. When the doctor told me, probably you’re not going to see really good anymore, I thought, ‘Wow, is my career over?’ But I believed and worked hard, and right now, I feel pretty great.”
The concussion symptoms and vision problems kept Liriano from playing in the Brewers’ farm system for the entire 2016 season, but the 25-year-old Dominican outfielder is trying to make a comeback this spring with the White Sox.
The Sox claimed Liriano off waivers from the Brewers in October, and he is getting playing time in their outfield this spring, though he has several other players to climb over if he were to make the squad. He is 1-for-7 with four strikeouts in three games this spring.
“I feel really comfortable,” Liriano said. “I have an opportunity with the White Sox, so I have to be ready.”
It took a while for Liriano to be comfortable at the plate again. He started by standing in for live batting practice during pitchers’ rehab.
“I had a protective helmet, so I wouldn’t have a panic, just so I could see the pitches,” Liriano said. “I worked at it every day, they’d pitch fastballs. The pitchers threw me inside, and I never felt bad.”
Eventually, he entered games in the instructional league and then played winter ball in the Dominican League, where he hit .258 with three doubles and a homer in 37 games. He said that’s where he finally felt at ease again.
It has been a long road for Liriano, who was one of baseball’s top 50 prospects before the 2012 season with the Padres.
Photos as the White Sox practice at spring training at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz.
He missed the 2013 season after Tommy John surgery, but returned to play 38 games with the Padres in 2014. They designated him for assignment before the spring of 2016 after he hit .292 with 31 doubles, 14 homers, 132 strikeouts and .843 OPS over 131 games for their Triple-A team in 2015.
Sox manager Rick Renteria, who was a coach with the Padres when Liriano was in the farm system, said he remembers him “like a bull in the china shop, always going 110 percent, which we love,” but added he has grown up.
“He took a ball to the face, which obviously impacted him significantly, but he was always known as a guy who had leg strength, could run, nice arm, power,” Renteria said. “We’re hoping as the schedule goes on, and they get more at-bats and get more comfortable, some of the skills they have will start to shine, and they’ll feel more comfortable.”
Liriano said he feels great this spring and has been working to lose weight – doing cardio work and trying to eat more salads and grilled chicken.
He said his head and eyes no longer bother him, but Renteria said he imagines he’s still working his way back to full strength.
“I would think he is, but we haven’t had any indications from our end that anything is going on,” Renteria said. “If we do, we’ll have to deal with it. At this point right now, it’s a matter of him getting out and playing.”
Caption White Sox prospect Michael Kopech on his first start against the MarinersWhite Sox prospect Michael Kopech on his first start against the Mariners. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox prospect Michael Kopech on his first start against the Mariners. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Caption White Sox prospect Michael Kopech on his first start against the MarinersWhite Sox prospect Michael Kopech on his first start against the Mariners. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox prospect Michael Kopech on his first start against the Mariners. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Rick Renteria on pitcher Michael Kopech's path this seasonWhite Sox manager Rick Renteria discusses pitcher Michael Kopech's path to the major leagues this season on Feb. 28, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox manager Rick Renteria discusses pitcher Michael Kopech's path to the major leagues this season on Feb. 28, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Caption White Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito on his start against the CubsWhite Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito on his start against the Cubs. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito on his start against the Cubs. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Rick Renteria on moving on from the CubsWhite Sox manager Rick Renteria discusses moving on from the Cubs on Feb. 27, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox manager Rick Renteria discusses moving on from the Cubs on Feb. 27, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Yoan Moncada on fitting in with the White SoxWhite Sox second baseman Yoan Moncada discusses how he's fitting in with his new team and how he plans to improve his defense on Feb. 27, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox second baseman Yoan Moncada discusses how he's fitting in with his new team and how he plans to improve his defense on Feb. 27, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
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