New Texas Rangers Starter Makes Debut At Old Home
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen had plenty of experience with Comerica Park when he made his 2024 debut there on Monday night.
DETROIT — Michael Lorenzen waited nearly all of spring training to get a contract. It was only fitting that his first start with the Texas Rangers was at a park he used to call home.
It felt like home at Comerica Park on Monday, where he pitched for the Detroit Tigers last season before he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies last July, even though he only spent part of one season with the Tigers.
“I love Detroit, I love the city, I loved living in Birmingham, loved everything about Detroit,” Lorenzen said.
Lorenzen threw five innings, giving up three hits and no runs. But he walked five and struck out four. The Rangers defense bailed him out at key moments, as shortstop Josh Smith — playing for Corey Seager, who had an off day — started three double plays while the right-hander was on the hill.
The last one got Lorenzen and the Rangers out of a bases-loaded jam in the fifth.
“He had good stuff tonight,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said. “He had his fastball going, with this slider and change-up. He probably could have gone a little further, but first time out I wanted to take care of him.”
Lorenzen earned his first All-Star nod with the Tigers in 2023, as he went 5-7 with a 3.58 ERA in 18 starts. It was just his second year as a full-time starter, as he went 8-6 in 18 starts with the Los Angeles Angels in 2022. Before that, he was a full-time reliever with Cincinnati (2015-21).
The Tigers turned his All-Star berth into a deal with the Phillies and Lorenzen threw his first career no-hitter in his second start with Philadelphia. While he finished 4-2 with a 5.51 ERA with the Phillies, he lost his control late in the season and ended up as a bullpen piece during their run to the National League Championship Series.
The Rangers placed him on the injured list on March 28 with a right neck strain. He was able to make three rehab appearances before joining the Rangers on Monday. While in the minors he had a 6.35 ERA, giving up eight earned runs in 11 1/3 innings.
That meant that he and Rangers catcher Jonah Heim had not worked together yet. Heim likened it to “flying by the seat of our pants.” The pair had a pregame meeting to talk hitters, what Lorenzen liked and a bullpen session to understand how the right-hander’s pitchers were working.
But there was one thing that spoke to Heim right away.
“He said he didn’t like to be behind hitters, so that’s music to my ears,” Heim said. “Let’s attack these guys and try to get out as a fast as possible.”
The walks were an issue for Lorenzen. An average of one per inning is too many. But with one start under his belt he has something to build on.
“Today it wasn’t at a high level but we got the win and that’s all that matters,” he said.
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