The Kansas City Royals are getting a quality starting pitcher back with the return of Michael Lorenzen, who was sidelined with a hamstring injury in late August. The Royals have also optioned right-handed pitcher Steven Cruz to Triple-A Omaha. Lorenzen will start against the Washington Nationals this evening. When Lorenzen was undergoing his rehab assignments he was instructed to limit his pitch count. He will continue to follow this with his final start of the regular season. Also, starter Alec Marsh will be moved to the bullpen, and relievers Hunter Harvey and James McArthur will not be returning this season.
We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/duogJAS1nX
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) September 25, 2024
Royals Starter Michael Lorenzen Returns to Mound Following Hamstring Injury
Lorenzen’s return comes at an optimal time, just before the commencement of the postseason. Going into this evening’s game, the Royals are neck and neck with the Detroit Tigers in the second spot in the AL Wild Card race. This evening’s game will certainly be significant for the Royals as they look to continue to hold a spot while contending for the postseason. They currently have a two-game cushion over the cutoff in the wild card standings. The magic number for the Royals to clinch a postseason spot is four.
Before going on the IL, Lorenzen sported a 7-6 record with an ERA of 3.43 and 92 strikeouts across 126 innings pitched. Lorenzen has put up some noteworthy stats this season pitching for the Royals. He is 18-5 in NRFIs (No Run First Innings) this season. He has gone on a streak of three with NRFI. However, his first-inning ERA and WHIP are 4.37 and 1.59. But an even better stat for Lorenzen is that since he joined the Royals he has an ERA of 1.85. Lorenzen was traded to the Royals on July 29th in exchange for Walter Pennington. The Royals are looking to take the second game in the series against the Nationals. This is following a big win yesterday that stopped the bleeding of a seven-game losing streak.
Photo Credit: © David Richard-Imagn Images
