Rockies Designate Michael Lorenzen for Assignment
The Colorado Rockies have designated pitcher Michael Lorenzen for assignment and recalled right-hander TJ Shook from Triple-A Albuquerque. This decision comes after Lorenzen's struggles during the season.
Lorenzen, who is 34 years old, was signed by the Rockies in the offseason as part of an effort to improve their pitching rotation. He was given an $8 million contract, joining other veterans like Jose Quintana and Tomoyuki Sugano. Despite having a diverse pitching arsenal, Lorenzen's performance has not met expectations, with a 7.08 earned run average over 26 appearances this year.
His statistics show a 9.12 ERA at Coors Field compared to 5.61 on the road, indicating difficulties pitching at altitude. As the Rockies approach the trade deadline as sellers, Lorenzen was a potential trade candidate, but his performance likely diminished interest from other teams. He will soon be placed on waivers, and since he has over five years of service, he can choose to become a free agent while retaining his salary.
