Los Angeles Angels Add To Their Rotation

The Los Angeles Angels have signed Michael Lorenzen to a one-year, $7 million contract. Although he has been a reliever since the 2016 season, the Angels are giving the 29-year-old a shot as a starter again.

Free-agent pitcher Michael Lorenzen and the Los Angeles Angels are in agreement on a one-year deal worth around $7 million, pending physical, according to sources familiar with the situation. Lorenzen is going to be in the Angels’ rotation.

— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) November 29, 2021

In 27 games last season with the Cincinnati Reds, Lorenzen had a 1-2 record, 5.59 ERA and 21 strikeouts. It was a down year for his standards, but he did deal with some injury trouble. As a starter with the Angels, he will be looking to find his previous form. 

In Lorezen's lone season as a full-time starter back in 2015 as a rookie, he had a 4-9 record and 5.40 ERA. The sample size to judge his ability as a starter is far too small, especially when remembering that it was his first taste of MLB action. 

In 295 career games, all with the Reds, Lorenzen has 23-23 record, 4.07 ERA and 406 strikeouts. 

Lorenzen is also capable of playing outfield and has been open about wanting to on a more consistent basis. In 133 career at-bats, he has seven home runs, 24 RBIs and .233 batting average. The Angels aren't shy when it comes to two-way players, as they of course have the biggest one in the sport with Shohei Ohtani. 

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