Will the Texas Rangers’ pitching be good enough to keep the team in contention before Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom return? That’s arguably the biggest question facing the Rangers as they get ready to defend their World Series title.
Texas made a move toward solidifying its pitching late on Wednesday night, signing 2023 All-Star pitcher, Michael Lorenzen.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported the signing. “Free-agent right-hander Michael Lorenzen in agreement with Rangers on one-year, $4.5M contract, pending physical, source tells @TheAthletic,” Rosenthal shared on Twitter/X. “Deal includes $2.5M in incentives, maxes out at $7M.”
Lorenzen split time between the Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Phillies in 2023. In Detroit, he posted a 3.58 ERA with a 1.098 WHIP while striking out 83 batters in 105.2 innings. After making his first All-Star team, he was traded to Philadelphia at the trade deadline. The first two starts with the Phillies went well. In his first outing, Lorenzen went eight innings, allowed two earned runs on only six hits with one walk and five strikeouts. In his next outing, Lorenzen threw a no-hitter against the Washington Nationals.
He generally struggled after that, though. In his time in Philadelphia, Lorenzen posted a 5.51 ERA and 1.458 WHIP with 28 strikeouts in 47.1 innings. Lorenzen did have a pair of scoreless outings in relief for the Phillies during the postseason.
[Ken Rosenthal on Twitter/X]
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