The Kansas City Royals have placed veteran right-hander Michael Lorenzen on the injured list due to a strained left hamstring. Lorenzen sustained the injury during the second inning of his start against the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday. In a corresponding move, the Royals have recalled right-handed pitcher Steven Cruz from Triple-A Omaha.
Lorenzen, 32, recently joined the Royals in a trade with the Texas Rangers before the deadline. He has performed impressively so far, boasting a 1.85 ERA (238 ERA+) and a 1.70 strikeout-to-walk ratio in his first five starts with Kansas City. Overall this season, he holds a 3.43 ERA (117 ERA+) and a 1.59 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 126 innings pitched, contributing an estimated 2.5 Wins Above Replacement, as per Baseball Reference.
Lorenzen’s absence comes at a crucial time for the Royals, who are currently tied for the top spot in the American League Central. While his absence may not directly impact the game on Wednesday, his early exit on Tuesday necessitated the use of more relievers than anticipated, which could have implications for the upcoming contest. Furthermore, his placement on the injured list means he will miss his next scheduled start against the Houston Astros this weekend, which could potentially affect the AL Central race.
The Royals have not yet announced who will fill Lorenzen’s spot in the rotation. One possible candidate is Alec Marsh, who made a spot start on Monday during a doubleheader against the Guardians. Marsh, designated as the Royals’ 27th player, is not subject to the same assignment length rules as optioned players.
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