Blue Jays sign veteran right-hander Michael Lorenzen to aid overworked bullpen

TORONTO (AP) — The Toronto Blue Jays signed veteran right-hander Michael Lorenzen to a one-year contract on Thursday to help shore up a bullpen that has been used heavily in recent weeks.

Lorenzen was released by the Colorado Rockies earlier this month. His arrival in Toronto came a day after the Blue Jays used seven relievers in a 3-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals.

“Availability for length and availability to do a lot of different things,” Toronto manager John Schneider said before the Blue Jays faced the Kansas City Royals.

Lorenzen, who started 25 of his 26 appearances with the Rockies this year, was pressed into action in a 13-2 loss to the Royals. He worked two innings of relief and allowed an earned run on three hits with a walk and two strikeouts.

Lorenzen, a 12-year MLB veteran, was 3-11 with a 7.08 earned-run average this season with Colorado.

The 34-year-old Lorenzen spent his first seven seasons with the Cincinnati Reds and was an All-Star with the Detroit Tigers in 2023. He has also played for the Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Philadelphia Phillies and Texas Rangers.

“You pick up a guy that’s done it before and that can basically throw every day,” Schneider said.

Bullpen games have become a frequent occurrence for the Blue Jays this season due to injuries. Shane Bieber would have started on Wednesday, but he was placed on the 15-day injured list due to muscle inflammation in his right shoulder.

Other Toronto starters on the IL include Trey Yesavage (knee), Jose Berrios (elbow), Patrick Corbin (shoulder), Bowden Francis (elbow), Cody Ponce (knee) and Jameson Taillon (forearm).

Several Blue Jays relievers are in the top 15 on the major-league list for appearances this season.

Entering play Thursday, Mason Fluharty led all players with 71 appearances. Braydon Fisher (64) was fifth, Tyler Rogers (63) was tied for sixth and closer Louis Varland (61) was tied for 12th.

Schneider said Lorenzen could also be used as a starter over the final month of the season, if needed.

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“He’s done it obviously this year and in the past,” he said. “So he can do that or can do multiple things out of the ‘pen. He could do one inning out of the ’pen.”

Lorenzen arrived with a 57-66 record and 4.40 ERA over 421 career appearances, including 144 starts.

“It’s tough to pitch (at altitude) in Colorado, we know that,” Schneider said. “He’s excited to be here. He loves the place.”

Also Thursday, the Blue Jays optioned right-hander Chad Dallas to Triple-A Buffalo and transferred outfielder Jonatan Clase to the 60-day injured list.

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