Kansas City Royals right-hander Michael Lorenzen (oblique) has begun playing catch as he works back from a strained left oblique, but he hasn't thrown a bullpen session yet. Lorenzen went on the 15-day injured list on July 11 and is now eligible to return, though it'll be a little longer until that happens. Over 18 starts this season, the 33-year-old has gone 5-8 with a 4.61 ERA (up from 3.31 in 2024), a 1.30 WHIP, and 85:29 K:BB in 99 2/3 innings.

The Kansas City Royals announced on Monday that they placed right-hander Michael Lorenzen (oblique) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to July 11) with a left-oblique strain. The Royals scratched Lorenzen from his start over the weekend with what they called at the time an illness, but the 33-year-old veteran is dealing with something much worse than that heading into this week's All-Star break. Lorenzen won't be eligible to come off the IL until July 26, and given the nature of his injury, he might not be ready to return by then. It's unclear at this time who will enter his spot in the starting rotation for the Royals to begin the second half of the season this weekend. Lorenzen finishes the first half in 2025 with a mediocre 4.61 ERA and 1.30 WHIP with 85 strikeouts and 29 walks in 99 2/3 innings over his 18 starts.

The Kansas City Royals announced that right-hander Michael Lorenzen (illness) will not make his scheduled start against the New York Mets on Saturday because of an illness. Left-handed reliever Angel Zerpa will take his place. Lorenzen posted arguably his best start of the season in his previous outing last Sunday. He fired a seven-inning, two-hit shutout with seven strikeouts in a win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Overall, Lorenzen has gone 5-8 with an unspectacular 4.61 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and 85:29 K:BB in 99 2/3 innings. Zerpa hasn't recorded more than nine outs in any of his 40 appearances this year, meaning he won't be in for long on Saturday. The 25-year-old has a 3.89 ERA with a 1.32 WHIP and 37:13 K:BB across 39 1/3 frames.

Kansas City Royals right-hander Michael Lorenzen (5-8) delivered one of his best outings of the season on Sunday, shutting down the Arizona Diamondbacks over seven scoreless innings in a 4-0 victory. Lorenzen allowed just two hits and a walk while striking out seven, generating an impressive 17 whiffs and reaching 96.3 mph on the radar gun. The veteran now owns a 4.61 ERA with seven quality starts on the year. Sunday's performance was a welcome sign for fantasy managers after Lorenzen failed to complete six innings in each of his previous three outings. While his season-long numbers remain shaky, Lorenzen's upside makes him a worthwhile streaming option or deep-league flyer heading into the second half. The 33-year-old will look to build off his impressive outing in his next scheduled start Saturday against the New York Mets.

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen earned his fourth win of the season in a 7-5 victory against the White Sox on Sunday. He pitched a quality start, allowing two runs on one hit and two walks with seven strikeouts over six innings. This was a nice bounce back outing after giving up 13 runs over the past 7 innings in his previous two starts. The seven strikeouts also tied the veteran's season high for an outing, a mark he has achieved four times now. The 33-year-old is best used as a matchup-dependent streamer for fantasy, as he can take advantage of low-scoring teams like the White Sox. He'll carry a 4.94 ERA into his next start against a more dangerous Athletics' lineup.

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen gave up seven hits and seven earned runs in Tuesday's 10-7 win against the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cal State Fullerton product completed 2 2/3 innings, walked a batter, and struck out two. Lorenzen made it through two innings, having yielded just two runs on a two-run Nolan Gorman homer, but he fell apart in the third. The veteran was tagged for five more in that inning -- including another two-run dinger -- but Toronto's offense would let him off the hook for the loss. That marks back-to-back abysmal outings for the 33-year-old, in which he's allowed 18 hits and 13 earned runs over 7 2/3 innings of work. The two ugly appearances have raised his ERA (5.12) and WHIP (1.46) considerably from the 3.77 and 1.27 they were at in mid-May. He'll try to rebound later this week on the road against the Chicago White Sox.

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen had a fantastic outing on Friday, shutting out the Boston Red Sox for seven innings in a tough-luck no-decision. The Royals ended up winning the game 2-1, but it took until the 11th inning for either team to score a run. Lorenzen played his part, allowing just three hits, walking none, and punching out seven in his best outing of the season. The 33-year-old now sits at a 3-3 record, 3.57 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and 40 strikeouts in 45 IP. Lorenzen is a serviceable pitcher, but is certainly not a must-roster one. He should be used for streaming purposes when the matchup is right. His next start is next Wednesday in Houston, which is a matchup to avoid.

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen earned his second win with a quality start in a 6-2 win over the Rockies in the second game of a doubleheader on Thursday. He allowed one run on five hits and four walks over six innings while striking out seven. Although the four walks aren't pretty, Lorenzen got the job done in what was a solid start overall. It was his second start of the season with seven strikeouts and his fourth where he allowed three runs or less. He will carry a 3.90 ERA and 1.45 WHIP into his next start, currently lined up to be against the Rays.

According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the Kansas City Royals are re-signing right-handed pitcher Michael Lorenzen to a one-year deal worth $7 million. Lorenzen spent most of the 2024 season in Texas where he posted a 3.81 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP across 101 2/3 innings of work. However, once he was acquired by Kansas City, the 33-year-old began to turn the corner. Across 28 2/3 inning, Lorenzen held a strong 1.57 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP across six starts (seven appearances). Under the hood he generated a 8.0% barrel rate, 39.4% hard-hit rate and a 41.6% ground ball rate which are all just below the average marks last season. Earlier this offseason, Lorenzen expressed interest in seeing time as a two-way player but this contract suggests the Royals primarily view him as a pitcher. Fantasy managers should expect Lorenzen to have a spot in the Opening Day rotation is worth a look in deeper formats as he does not carry much strikeout upside.

Ryan Hamill, the agent for free-agent right-hander Michael Lorenzen, is talking with teams that are interested in signing his client about his two-way abilities. Lorenzen, who turns 33 on Jan. 4, has not hit in a big-league game since 2021 and hasn't had more than one plate appearance in a season since 2019. Hamill is discussing with teams the possibility of getting Lorenzen the necessary plate appearances to qualify for two-way status and then flipping him to a contender that would carry him as a 14th pitcher. A player with two-way designation (only Shohei Ohtani right now) doesn't count against a team's 13-pitcher limit on the 26-man roster. Lorenzen was an All-Star in 2023 and also threw a no-hitter, and he finished with a 3.31 ERA in 130 1/3 innings in 2024 with the Rangers and Royals. The White Sox, Marlins and Rockies could be idea fits for what Hamill is proposing, but it remains to be seen if it will happen.

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen left Wednesday's start versus the Nationals early for what the team is describing as lower body fatigue. The move was precautionary in nature according to the team. The 32-year-old had just been activated off the IL after missing a month with a hamstring strain, so perhaps he's not quite back to full strength. Nevertheless, it will be his last start of the season, finishing with a 7-6 record between his time in Texas and Kansas City, posting a 3.37 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 94 strikeouts in 128 1/3 IP.

Kansas City Royals right-hander Michael Lorenzen (hamstring) will make the start for the team on Wednesday at Nationals Park against the Washington Nationals, with right-hander Alec Marsh moving to the bullpen to close out the 2024 regular season, according to manager Matt Quatraro. Lorenzen will come off the 15-day injured list to make his first start since late August due to a hamstring strain, so don't be surprised if he doesn't go very deep into his start after the long layoff. It is an enticing matchup for fantasy managers still playing for something in the final week of the season. The 32-year-old veteran will be hoping to pick up where he left off after being acquired by the Royals, as he's pitched to a 1.85 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 17 strikeouts and 10 walks in 24 1/3 innings over his first five starts in KC. Lorenzen began the year in Texas.

Kansas City Royals right-hander Michael Lorenzen (hamstring) has had his minor-league rehab assignment moved to Triple-A Omaha, and he'll start for the Storm Chasers on Friday. Lorenzen made his first rehab start for Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Tuesday and allowed three runs in just 1 2/3 innings of work. Whether the 32-year-old veteran returns to KC's starting rotation after his rehab start on Friday will likely depend on how he fares and how many pitches he's able to throw. Lorenzen has been sidelined since late August due to a Grade 2 hamstring strain. He has a weak 17.7% strikeout in his time with the Royals and Texas Rangers this year, but he posted a 1.85 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in his five starts (24 1/3 innings) since the Royals acquired him at the trade deadline. At best, Lorenzen might have a couple starts as a fantasy streamer to close out the year.

Kansas City Chiefs right-hander Michael Lorenzen (hamstring) has been keeping his arm in shape by playing catch, but he still needs time for his left hamstring to fully heal before he throws a bullpen session and figures out the best time to return in the final month of the regular season. Lorenzen suffered a left-hamstring strain on Aug. 27 against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians, and an MRI exam on Aug. 28 confirmed a Grade 2 hamstring strain. He was placed on the 15-day injured list with a two- to three-week timeline for a return. The 32-year-old veteran was excellent in his first five starts with the Royals before his injury, posting a 1.85 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 17 K's and 10 walks in 24 1/3 innings, but he's quickly running out of time to make an impact as a deep-league streamer with the regular season ending at the end of September.

The Kansas City Royals placed right-hander Michael Lorenzen (hamstring) on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday with a left-hamstring strain and recalled right-hander Steven Cruz from Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move. While covering first base in his start on Tuesday against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians, Lorenzen strained his hammy and now will not be able to return until mid-September. The 32-year-old veteran has been excellent in his five starts since being acquired from the Texas Rangers, going 2-0 with a 1.85 ERA (4.20 FIP), 1.15 WHIP and a 17:10 K:BB in 24 1/3 innings for KC. But with his injury, he's now only probably going to make several more starts in 2024. With Lorenzen on the shelf, Alec Marsh is the most likely candidate to jump into the Royals' starting rotation over the next several weeks.

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen exited Tuesday's game against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians with a left hamstring strain. Lorenzen sprinted over to cover first base on a force out in the second inning, appearing to have his left leg hyper-extended as he tried to complete a double play. He grimaced as he fell to the ground and stayed in the contest following a few warmup pitches, but he finally departed after striking out Guardians outfielder Lane Thomas. Lorenzen tentatively lines up to take the mound next on Sunday against the Houston Astros, but fantasy managers should be making other arrangements and preparing for a potential stint on the injured list. It's rough timing for the 32-year-old veteran right-hander, who holds two wins, a 1.85 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and 17:10 K:BB over 24 1/3 innings since joining the Royals this year.

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen threw seven shutout innings on Wednesday, striking out five hitters during his start against the visiting Los Angeles Angels at Kauffman Stadium. Lorenzen scattered four hits and two walks on Wednesday against the Angels, picking up his seventh win of the season in the victory for KC. Since joining the Royals ahead of the trade deadline in late July, the 32-year-old veteran right-hander owns a 1.99 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 16 punchouts and nine walks over 22 2/3 frames (four starts) as he heads into a tough matchup for Tuesday's showdown on the road against the first-place Cleveland Guardians.

Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia will head to the bench Saturday night for the Royals debut of Michael Lorenzen against the Detroit Tigers. He will be replaced in the lineup by the recently acquired Paul DeJong, who will bat seventh in and play third base in Garcia's place. Garcia is hitting .237 with six home runs, 45 RBI, 27 stolen bases and 69 runs scored in 467 plate appearances. It's a rare day off for a guy who leads the league in games played with 108. This seems to be a day of rest for Garcia, who should be back in the lineup tomorrow for the series finale.

Right-hander Michael Lorenzen will join the Kansas City Royals' starting rotation and make the start on Saturday versus the division-rival Detroit Tigers, according to manager Matt Quatraro. There was some question as to whether Lorenzen would be a starter with KC after being acquired from the Texas Rangers in a trade on Monday, but he'll take over the rotation spot of right-hander Alec Marsh after Marsh was sent to Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday. The 32-year-old veteran's fantasy value shouldn't change all that much with the move to KC, but he'll maintain his value rotation depth in deep mixed leagues now that he'll continue in a starting role. In 19 appearances (18 starts) for the Rangers this year, Lorenzen had a 3.81 ERA and 1.28 WHIP with 75 strikeouts and 48 walks in 101 2/3 innings pitched. He'll be a popular streamer this weekend against Detroit.

Kansas City Royals general manager JJ Picollo said that the role of right-hander Michael Lorenzen is to be determined after the club acquired him on Monday from the Texas Rangers in exchange for left-hander Walker Pennington. Lorenzen has experience pitching as a starter and a reliever in the big leagues, and his ultimate role with the Royals the rest of the season could depend on whether the Royals make more pitching acquisitions before Tuesday's trade deadline. The 32-year-old veteran started 18 of his 19 appearances for the Rangers before Monday's trade, going 5-6 with a 3.81 ERA and 1.28 WHIP with a 75:48 K:BB in 101 2/3 innings pitched. Lorenzen could be slightly more attractive in fantasy now that he's with the Royals, but only if he's in the team's starting rotation to close out the second half of the season.