This morning, the Kansas City Royals announced the acquisition of right-handed pitcher Michael Lorenzen from Texas in exchange for left-handed pitcher Walter Pennington.
Lorenzen made 19 appearances (18 starts) for the Rangers this season, going 5-6 with a 3.81 ERA (43 earned runs in 101.2 innings). He signed a one-year free agent contract on March 22 and began the season on the injured list before making his season debut on April 15.
Lorenzen, 32, was a first-time All-Star last season, making 29 appearances (25 starts) for Detroit and Philadelphia and setting career highs in starts, innings (153.0), wins (9), and strikeouts (111). Lorenzen, who was acquired by the Phillies on August 1, delivered a no-hitter in his second start.
9, 2023 versus Washington.
This season, he has kept left-handed batters to a.144 average (24-for-167), the lowest opponents’ average against lefties in the Majors (minimum of 150 lefties faced). Over the last two seasons, his opponents’.193 average (93-for-483) against lefties ranks second in the Majors (minimum 400 lefties faced), after only Corbin Burnes (.175).
The 10-year Major League veteran made his major league debut with Cincinnati in 2015 and spent seven seasons with the Reds, making 269 of his 295 appearances in relief. In the three seasons since, he’s spent time with the Angels (2022), Tigers (2023), Phillies (2023), and Rangers (2024), making 61 of his 66 starts.
Pennington, 26, was an undrafted free agent from the Colorado School of Mines in 2020. He made his Major League debut earlier this season on July 5 at Coors Field, retiring both batters he faced. In 37 appearances (2 starts) with Triple-A Omaha this season, he went 6-3 with a 2.26 ERA (15 earned runs in 59.2 innings) and 79 strikeouts (11.9 K/9).
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