Michael Lorenzen has been cleared to begin a throwing program after an MRI. The Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitcher was initially expected to miss a minimal amount of time after an injury in spring training, but things turned out to be a bit worse than initially believed. During a bullpen session he just didn’t feel right and didn’t complete the session. He would then get a PRP injection in mid-April with the hopes that it would help get him on the right path to recovery.
“Michael received some really good news,” said manager David Bell on Thursday. “He got a follow up MRI. Things are going really well. He was cleared to start his throwing. I was just texting with him today -he’s very excited. He wanted to joint he team as quick as possible. He realizes he’s got to be patient – there’s going to be some time to build back up. But that was the first step, really, to getting it back. So that was really great news for us and for Michael.”
The news was also good for outfielder Aristides Aquino, who had surgery in April to remove his hamate bone after an injury.
“Aquino just continues to heal and progress, strengthen and add in new activities,” Bell said. “I don’t have a timetable, but both are progressing really well. ”
For Michael Lorenzen, the last update we had heard was that it wasn’t going to be until some point in June for a return. When spring training was going on and Lorenzen was healthy, the plan was to get him into the rotation. There’s no indication right now as to whether or not that remains the case, but the rotation has been good this season thus far (4.11 ERA) and the bullpen has struggled in a big way (5.35 ERA – 2nd worst in baseball). Perhaps that won’t be a factor into the decision with Lorenzen, but it certainly could play a role into how he comes back and where he fits into the pitching staff when he’s ready.
All I want to know is:
1. When can Lorenzen rejoin the team.
2. What time does the parade begin?
It’s baseball, but it still amazes me that last year the pitching was lights out and runs scarce. This year the script has flipped.
Every other say the script flips.
10-0 to Rockies in the 6th?
Please…
*day
I think it may be too little too late if he even makes a contribution.
But perhaps the organization isn’t aiming to contend this year. So hopefully he’ll be strong next season.
This is good news. My preference at this point would be for Lorenzen to return to the bullpen, Antone to join the rotation, and Hoffman or Castillo to slide to relief until they show better results. Yes, Hoffman has been decent, but Antone would be better. Yes, Castillo has been terrific – but the opposite of that this year. Adding Lorenzen can only make the pitching staff better. Here’s hoping Bell uses him and his staff wisely.