KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – The Royals were relatively healthy throughout their 2024 season. However, the last few weeks have proven otherwise.
In the second inning, starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen got Guardians rookie Daniel Schneemann to hit a grounder to first. The right-hander ran to the baseman and took the relay throw from second before sitting down in the dirt.
Lorenzen slowly got up and walked to the mound before throwing several warm-up pitches as Quatraro and a trainer watched. Lorenzen stayed in the game and struck out Lane Thomas.
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Manager Matt Quatraro said Lorenzen would fly back to Kansas City for imaging tests while the Royals finish their four-game series in Cleveland.
“We think it’s mild, but it’s questionable whether he’ll be able to pitch in five days,” Quatraro said after the game. “We’ll have to wait until tomorrow.”
After Lorenzen left, Carlos Hernández came in and pitched 2 1/3 innings before the game was postponed for more than two hours due to rain.
On Wednesday, the Royals announced that Lorenzen was moving to the 15-day IL. In a corresponding move, they recalled reliever Steven Cruz from Triple-A Omaha.
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Lorenzen had a 1.99 earned run average (ERA) in his first four appearances with the Royals. He was acquired on July 29 in a trade that sent left-handed reliever Walter Pennington to the Texas Rangers.
On Monday, Royals starter Cole Ragans had to leave the game in the fifth inning due to leg cramps. Reliever Will Smith was also placed on the 15-day IL due to lower back cramps.
Right fielder Hunter Renfroe injured his thigh while running in the outfield and was placed on the 10-day injured list on August 25.
Reliever Hunter Harvey, whom the Royals signed in mid-July, also spent some time on the bench. He was diagnosed with mid-back strain and was placed on the 15-day IL, retroactive to August 7.
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