KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals this morning announced a one-year contract with right-handed pitcher Michael Lorenzen. The deal also includes a mutual option for 2026. Kansas City now has 39 players on its Major League Reserve List.
Lorenzen, who turned 33 last week, completed his 10th season in the Majors in 2024. He began the season with Texas and was acquired by Kansas City on July 29. In 7 appearances (6 starts) with the Royals, Lorenzen went 2-0 with a 1.57 ERA (5 ER in 28.2 IP). He also made 2 appearances in the American League Division Series vs. the Yankees.
In 26 appearances (24 starts) in the 2024 regular season with Texas and Kansas City, Lorenzen went 7-6 with a 3.31 ERA (48 ER in 130.1 IP), his lowest in any season since 2019, when he had a 2.92 ERA (27 ER in 83.1 IP) in 73 relief appearances with Cincinnati.
Lorenzen made his Major League debut with Cincinnati in 2015, when 21 of his 27 appearances came as a starter. From 2016-21, he made 268 appearances and all but 5 came as a reliever. Over the last three seasons (2022-24), 67 of his 73 appearances have been as a starting pitcher.
