Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen. Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Michael Lorenzen is coming back to the Royals on a one-year deal

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Jan 6, 2025 9:19 PM ET

Michael Lorenzen is a journeyman pitcher, but at 33 years old he's far from washed and he has the stuff to be a valuable part of anyone's rotation.

That's likely why the Kansas City Royals decided to bring Lorenzen back after he spent the second half of last season on their roster. Lorenzen was acquired from the Texas Rangers by the Royals at the trade deadline in exchange for left-handed reliever Walter Pennington.

He was 5-6 with a 3.81 ERA in 18 starts for the Rangers, but went 2-0 with a 1.57 ERA in six starts (28.2 innings pitched) for the Royals.

Kansas City is now bringing him back on a one-year, $7M deal, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.

Right-hander Michael Lorenzen and the Kansas City Royals are in agreement on a one-year, $7 million contract, sources tell ESPN. Lorenzen, 33, was excellent down the stretch, and the deal includes a second-year mutual option for $12 million. Versatile arm, great clubhouse guy.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 6, 2025

Lorenzen has been in MLB since 2015 as both a starter and a bullpen arm.

His stock as a starter hit a high in 2023 when the Detroit Tigers took a chance on him and he put up a 3.58 ERA with a WHIP of 1.10 in 18 starts before they flipped him at the deadline to the Philadelphia Phillies.

Per Passan, Lorenzen is expected to be in the running for one of Kansas City's final two remaining starting spots with Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha expected to lock down the first three.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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