The Kansas City Royals are adding some depth to their pitching staff. Kansas City announced on Monday that have have acquired Texas Rangers right-hander Michael Lorenzen in exchange for left-hander Walter Pennington. Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported before the announcement that the Royals were showing interest in Lorenzen. The trade comes a day after the Rangers dealt a pair of prospects to the Detroit Tigers for catcher Carson Kelly. Dealing Lorenzen allows the Rangers to recoup some long-term value for a pending free agent. The impending returns of Jacob deGrom, Cody Bradford and Tyler Mahle from injury made Lorenzen expendable to the trade market. For the Royals, it indicates they are going all-in and will look to make a deep push for the postseason.
We have acquired RHP Michael Lorenzen from the Texas Rangers in exchange for LHP Walter Pennington.
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) July 29, 2024
Royals Acquire Right-Hander Michael Lorenzen
Lorenzen, 32, signed a one-year, $4.5 million contract with Texas this past offseason. He has put up strong performances as a back-of-the-rotation spot for Texas, pitching 101 2/3 innings with a 3.87 ERA in 18 starts. His last start came on Saturday where he allowed four runs before escaping the inning. Lorenzen has plenty of experience both as a starter and as a reliever, but his 17.9 percent strikeout rate is below the 22.3 percent league average. His 11.5 percent walk rate is higher than the 8.2 percent league average but he’s kept the ball on the ground at a strong 42.3 percent clip.
Lorenzen recorded a no-hitter pitching for the Tigers a season ago before the Philadelphia Phillies acquired him at the trade deadline. The veteran joins his sixth MLB club after stops with the Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Angels, Tigers, Phillies and Rangers.
Pennington, 26, was an undrafted free agent out of the Colorado School of Mines in 2020. He made his major league debut on July 5, where he retired both batters he faced. Pennington went 6-3 with a 2.26 ERA in 59 2/3 innings and 79 strikeouts with Triple-A Oklahoma this season.
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