Free agent pitcher Michael Lorenzen finalized a $4.5 million, one-year deal and joined the Texas Rangers on Friday, providing the reigning World Series champions with another starting pitcher just before the season begins.
Lorenzen can earn up to $2.5 million in bonuses based on his innings pitched: $200,000 each for 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100 innings; $300,000 for 120 innings, $350,000 for 140 innings, $400,000 for 160 innings, and $450,000 for 180 innings.
It’s uncertain when Lorenzen will be ready to pitch, but he’s expected to join the starting rotation. With Cy Young Award winners Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer out due to injuries until at least the summer, All-Star pitcher Nathan Eovaldi will start on opening day against the Chicago Cubs.
To make space on the 40-man roster, the Rangers placed deGrom on the 60-day injured list as he continues his recovery from elbow surgery last June.
Lorenzen, 32, earned his first All-Star selection last season with the Detroit Tigers. After being traded to the Philadelphia Phillies, he threw a no-hitter against the Washington Nationals in his second start for them. He posted a 9-9 record with a 4.18 ERA in 29 games, mostly as a starter until his last four relief appearances.
Over nine seasons in the majors, Lorenzen has a record of 40 wins and 38 losses with a 4.11 ERA in 342 games. He started his career as a starter with the Cincinnati Reds in 2015 before transitioning to a relief role and then became a starter again with the Los Angeles Angels in 2022.
The Rangers had initially planned to start the season with Eovaldi leading the rotation, followed by Dane Dunning, Jon Gray, Andrew Heaney, and Cody Bradford.
General manager Chris Young mentioned last week that the team is content with its current starters. Left-handed pitcher Jordan Montgomery, acquired last year before the trade deadline, remains a free agent.
Scherzer, deGrom, and offseason addition Tyler Mahle are all undergoing rehabilitation this spring. Mahle, who signed a two-year deal after Tommy John surgery last May, is also on the mend.
