January 6, 2025
According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the Kansas City Royals are re-signing right-handed pitcher
Michael Lorenzen to a one-year deal worth $7 million. Lorenzen spent most of the 2024 season in Texas where he posted a 3.81 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP across 101 2/3 innings of work. However, once he was acquired by Kansas City, the 33-year-old began to turn the corner. Across 28 2/3 inning, Lorenzen held a strong 1.57 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP across six starts (seven appearances). Under the hood he generated a 8.0% barrel rate, 39.4% hard-hit rate and a 41.6% ground ball rate which are all just below the average marks last season. Earlier this offseason, Lorenzen expressed interest in seeing time as a two-way player but this contract suggests the Royals primarily view him as a pitcher. Fantasy managers should expect Lorenzen to have a spot in the Opening Day rotation is worth a look in deeper formats as he does not carry much strikeout upside.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jeff Passan
December 19, 2024
Ryan Hamill, the agent for free-agent right-hander
Michael Lorenzen, is talking with teams that are interested in signing his client about his two-way abilities. Lorenzen, who turns 33 on Jan. 4, has not hit in a big-league game since 2021 and hasn't had more than one plate appearance in a season since 2019. Hamill is discussing with teams the possibility of getting Lorenzen the necessary plate appearances to qualify for two-way status and then flipping him to a contender that would carry him as a 14th pitcher. A player with two-way designation (only
Shohei Ohtani right now) doesn't count against a team's 13-pitcher limit on the 26-man roster. Lorenzen was an All-Star in 2023 and also threw a no-hitter, and he finished with a 3.31 ERA in 130 1/3 innings in 2024 with the Rangers and Royals. The White Sox, Marlins and Rockies could be idea fits for what Hamill is proposing, but it remains to be seen if it will happen.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal
September 25, 2024
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher
Michael Lorenzen left Wednesday's start versus the Nationals early for what the team is describing as lower body fatigue. The move was precautionary in nature according to the team. The 32-year-old had just been activated off the IL after missing a month with a hamstring strain, so perhaps he's not quite back to full strength. Nevertheless, it will be his last start of the season, finishing with a 7-6 record between his time in Texas and Kansas City, posting a 3.37 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 94 strikeouts in 128 1/3 IP.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: Kansas City Royals
September 24, 2024
Kansas City Royals right-hander
Michael Lorenzen (hamstring) will make the start for the team on Wednesday at Nationals Park against the Washington Nationals, with right-hander
Alec Marsh moving to the bullpen to close out the 2024 regular season, according to manager Matt Quatraro. Lorenzen will come off the 15-day injured list to make his first start since late August due to a hamstring strain, so don't be surprised if he doesn't go very deep into his start after the long layoff. It is an enticing matchup for fantasy managers still playing for something in the final week of the season. The 32-year-old veteran will be hoping to pick up where he left off after being acquired by the Royals, as he's pitched to a 1.85 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 17 strikeouts and 10 walks in 24 1/3 innings over his first five starts in KC. Lorenzen began the year in Texas.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
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