Royals' Michael Lorenzen: Can't make it through five
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Lorenzen didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Rangers, allowing four runs (three earned) on nine hits and a walk across 4.1 innings. He struck out six.
While Lorenzen's final line could've looked much worse, the right-hander still failed to make it through the fifth inning after throwing 89 pitches. Overall, it was a step backwards for Lorenzen after he held the White Sox scoreless across four innings in his previous outing, which was his first following a month-long stint on the IL. Lorenzen sports a 4.50 ERA through 20 starts (108 innings) this season with a 1.34 WHIP and 94:32 K:BB.
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Royals' Michael Lorenzen: Four scoreless frames in return
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Lorenzen did not factor into Saturday's decision against the White Sox, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out three across four scoreless innings.
Lorenzen was activated from the 15-day IL ahead of Saturday's start after fully recovering from a strained left oblique. Though he kept the White Sox off the board in his first outing since July 6, he ran his pitch count up to 82 (44 strikes), which necessitated his removal after four frames of work. Lorenzen should get a longer leash for his next start, which is slated for next week at home against the Rangers.
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Royals' Michael Lorenzen: Officially activated
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The Royals activated Lorenzen (oblique) from the 15-day injured list to start Saturday's game against the White Sox.
As expected, Lorenzen will make his return from a strained left oblique Saturday to face the White Sox. Lorenzen should handle a full workload after throwing 85 pitches in his most recent rehab start. The 33-year-old posted a 4.61 ERA in 99.2 innings before sustaining the injury, and he yielded seven runs in 8.2 innings for Double-A Northwest Arkansas during his rehab assignment. Luinder Avila was optioned to Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move.
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Royals' Michael Lorenzen: Rejoining rotation Saturday
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Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Wednesday that Lorenzen (oblique) will rejoin the rotation Saturday versus the White Sox, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Out since mid-July with a left oblique strain, Lorenzen built up to 85 pitches in his last rehab start, so he should be ready for a normal workload Saturday. Lorenzen has posted a 4.61 ERA and 1.30 WHIP over 99.2 innings for the Royals this season. Bailey Falter has been moved to the bullpen to make room for Lorenzen in the rotation.
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Royals' Michael Lorenzen: Earns win in second rehab start
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Lorenzen (oblique) struck out four batters and allowed three earned runs on seven hits and three walks over 5.2 innings Sunday in a rehab start with Double-A Northwest Arkansas.
Lorenzen looks ready to return from the 15-day injured list after completing his second rehab start, during which he built up to 85 pitches. Before landing on the injured list July 14 due to an oblique strain, the right-hander posted a 4.61 ERA and 1.30 WHIP over 99.2 innings. While Cole Ragans (shoulder) likely remains week away from coming off the IL, Lorenzen's upcoming return means that Kansas City will have only two rotation spots available for him and trade-deadline pickups Bailey Falter and Ryan Bergert. Though Bergert has pitched well over his first two outings with Kansas City, he has minor-league options remaining, which could put him at the most risk of losing his starting spot once Lorenzen is activated. Lorenzen could make his return to the big club as soon as this weekend's series versus the White Sox.
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Royals' Michael Lorenzen: Starting rehab assignment
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Lorenzen (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Arkansas on Tuesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Lorenzen landed on the 15-day injured list prior to the All-Star break due to an oblique strain. He was cleared to throw bullpen sessions last week, and he is ready to take the next step in his throwing program by embarking on a rehab assignment. Lorenzen posted a 4.61 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 85:29 K:BB across 99.2 innings prior to his injury.
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Royals' Michael Lorenzen: Completes live BP session
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Lorenzen (oblique) faced five batters in a live batting practice session Thursday, MLB.com reports.
Assuming Lorenzen experienced no complications in his recovery from a left oblique strain coming out of the workout, he's expected to begin a rehab assignment at some point during the upcoming week. Lorenzen has been on the shelf since July 14, and given the relative brevity of his absence, he could be ready to rejoin the Kansas City rotation after just one rehab start.
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Royals' Michael Lorenzen: Playing catch again
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Lorenzen (oblique) has been playing catch for over a week but has yet to resume throwing bullpen sessions as of Friday, MLB.com reports.
Lorenzen is eligible to return from the 15-day injured list at any point, but he looks like he still has a few checkpoints to hit in his recovery from an oblique strain before the Royals deem him fit to rejoin the rotation. Kansas City called up Rich Hill from Triple-A Omaha shortly after the All-Star break, and the 45-year-old lefty could occupy the fifth spot in the rotation until Lorenzen is ready for activation.
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Royals' Michael Lorenzen: Lands on IL with oblique strain
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The Royals placed Lorenzen on the 15-day injured list Monday with a left oblique strain.
Lorenzen was scratched ahead of his final scheduled start of the first half this past weekend due to what was referred to as an illness at the time, but the right-hander is apparently dealing with an oblique strain. The Royals haven't provided word on the severity of the injury, making it uncertain whether Lorenzen will be ready for activation when first eligible July 26. Lorenzen finished the first half with a 4.61 ERA with a 1.30 WHIP over 99.2 innings.
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Royals' Michael Lorenzen: Impresses in fifth win
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Lorenzen (5-8) earned the win in Sunday's game at Arizona, allowing two hits and one walk over seven scoreless innings. He struck out seven.
The Kansas City right-hander produced an astounding 17 whiffs in this 82-pitch outing to tally his first win since June 8. With this performance, Lorenzen notched his seventh quality start of the season and matched his season best with seven Ks, a mark he reached four times prior to Sunday. The 33-year-old lowered his season ERA from 4.95 to 4.61 across 99.2 frames to go with a 1.30 WHIP and 85:29 K:BB. Lorenzen currently lines up to make his next start against the Mets at home next weekend.
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Royals' Michael Lorenzen: Allows two homers in loss
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Lorenzen (4-8) took the loss against the Rays on Thursday, allowing four runs on eight hits and no walks with four strikeouts over 5.2 innings.
Lorenzen was on track for a quality start before giving up back-to-back solo homers in the sixth inning. While the 33-year-old didn't issue a walk for the first time in eight starts, he's now surrendered 16 home runs across 16 outings this season. He'll carry a 4.91 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 73:28 K:BB over 88 innings into a road matchup with the Mariners next week.
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Royals' Michael Lorenzen: Suffers seventh loss
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Lorenzen (4-7) took the loss Saturday, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks over six innings against the Athletics. He struck out four.
The right-hander was burned by extra-base hits with men on base, surrendering a two-run homer to Max Muncy in the second inning and an RBI double to Luis Urias in the fourth inning. Lorenzen has endured a rough stretch of late, posting a 7.40 ERA and 1.64 WHIP over 24.1 innings across his past five starts. Cole Ragans' shoulder injury slightly thins the Royals' rotation depth, but Lorenzen will still need to elevate his performance to retain his spot.
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Royals' Michael Lorenzen: Strikes out seven in win
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Lorenzen (4-6) earned the win against the White Sox on Sunday, allowing two runs on one hit and two walks with seven strikeouts over six innings.
The only hit Lorenzen allowed was a two-run homer in the first inning, but he bounced back with five straight scoreless frames to notch his first win since April 29. The 33-year-old generated 14 whiffs on 92 pitches in a much-needed strong effort after surrendering 13 earned runs over his previous two outings. He'll take a 4.94 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 61:22 K:BB across 71 innings into a home matchup with the Athletics next weekend.
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Royals' Michael Lorenzen: Coughs up season-high seven runs
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Lorenzen didn't factor into the decision Tuesday against the Cardinals after giving up seven runs on seven hits and one walk in 2.2 innings. He struck out two.
After getting knocked around for six runs on a career-worst 11 hits his last time out, Lorenzen coughed up a season-worst seven runs in his shortest outing of the year Tuesday. Four of his seven hits allowed went for extra bases, and the veteran right-hander matched his season low in punchouts. Despite having four quality starts to his name among 12 appearances in 2025, Lorenzen owns a poor 5.12 ERA and 1.46 WHIP over 65 innings. His next start is set to come against the lowly White Sox, which at least offers him a prime opportunity to rebound.
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Royals' Michael Lorenzen: Season-worst outing in sixth loss
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Lorenzen (3-6) took the loss Monday against the Reds after allowing six runs on 11 hits and three walks in five innings. He struck out two.
Lorenzen established season worsts in runs, hits allowed and punchouts, with the 11 knocks even representing a career-worst mark. The veteran right-hander has struggled on the mound a bit this month, as he's logged a 5.34 ERA and 1.43 WHIP over his last five starts, but he does hold a more encouraging 24:6 K:BB across his last 28.2 innings. Lorenzen will be trying to find a groove in his next scheduled outing, but he'll have his work cut out at home versus the first-place Tigers this weekend.
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Royals' Michael Lorenzen: Takes no-decision Friday
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Lorenzen didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 2-1 extra-inning win over the Red Sox after pitching seven shutout innings, allowing three hits while striking out seven batters. He did not issue a walk.
Getting through seven scoreless frames on just 90 pitches feels like too good of a performance not to be rewarded with a win, but that's what happens when your offense doesn't put any runs on the board until the 11th inning. The 33-year-old entered the game with a 4.23 ERA and 1.41 WHIP, but those numbers have dropped to 3.57 and 1.26, respectively, following his longest outing of the season. He'll look to keep his momentum going and collect his first win of May next week in Houston.
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Royals' Michael Lorenzen: Hit hard in no-decision
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Lorenzen did not factor into the decision in Sunday's 11-6 win over the Orioles, allowing five runs on seven hits and one walk with five strikeouts over 4.2 innings.
Lorenzen was tagged for four of the 11 total home runs hit between the Royals and Orioles on Sunday. He generated an impressive 13 whiffs on 85 pitches but failed to complete five innings for just the second time in seven starts. The 33-year-old will carry a 4.23 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 33:14 K:BB across 38.1 innings into a home matchup with the Red Sox next weekend.
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Royals' Michael Lorenzen: Sharp in second win
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Lorenzen (2-3) earned the win over the Rockies in the second game of Thursday's doubleheader, allowing one run on five hits and four walks over six innings. He struck out seven.
It was a solid performance from Lorenzen, who held Colorado off the board until Jordan Beck launched a solo home run with two outs in the sixth inning despite issuing three-plus walks for the third time this year. The 33-year-old Lorenzen lowered his ERA to 3.90 with a 1.45 WHIP and 24:11 K:BB through his first five starts (27.2 innings) of 2025. Lorenzen is currently in line to face the Rays on the road in his next outing.
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Royals' Michael Lorenzen: Mixed bag in season debut
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Lorenzen (0-1) took the loss after allowing three runs on five hits and three walks in 5.1 innings Tuesday against the Brewers. He struck out seven.
It was a mixed bag for Lorenzen, who did fan seven but also served up a solo homer to Eric Haase in the third inning. The right-hander worked into the sixth frame but watched Rhys Hoskins drive in a run on a single before he was lifted for Sam Long, who allowed one of Lorenzen's inherited runners to score. The veteran righty is next slated to take the mound early next week at home against Minnesota.
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Michael Lorenzen: Aiming for two-way designation
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Lorenzen's agent, Ryan Hamill, is marketing his client as a two-way player this offseason, with the goal of gaining a two-way roster designation, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.
The only major league player to qualify for two-way status since it was introduced in 2020 is Shohei Ohtani. A player with the designation does not count against a team's 13-pitcher limit on their 26-man roster, effectively allowing them to serve as a 14th pitcher. Lorenzen's plan is to sign with a club -- likely a non-contender -- and then accrue 20-plus innings as a pitcher and play 20-plus games as a position player or designated hitter (with at least three plate appearances in each game), which would meet the necessary criteria for two-way status. Gaining the two-way designation would, in theory, make Lorenzen an attractive trade target for a contending club keen on taking advantage of having an extra pitcher on their roster. Lorenzen has not hit in a major-league game since 2021 and hasn't had more than one plate appearance since 2019, but he boasts a career .710 OPS with seven home runs over 321 plate appearances. He was an effective rotation piece for the Rangers and Royals last year with a 3.31 ERA across 130.1 innings during the regular season.
