Detroit Tigers Sign Free Agent Starting Pitcher

Another free agent arm has come off the board, as the Detroit Tigers have entered the fray, signing a former Los Angeles Angels starter who had a tremendous finish to the 2022 season.

Free-agent pitcher Michael Lorenzen and the Detroit Tigers are in agreement on a contract, pending physical, according to sourves familiar with the deal.

— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) December 15, 2022

30-year-old Michael Lorenzen has been scooped up by the Tigers, on a deal said to be one-year, $8.5M, with incentives that could bring it to $10M.

Lorenzen is a former first-round pick, who spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Cincinnati Reds, working mostly as a reliever. It was the Angels who turned him into a full-time starter in 2022, and he fared decently in 18 starts. 

The right-hander posted a 4.24 ERA with a 1.28 WHIP, though his control wasn't always spot on, as he walked 4.1 batters per nine innings. 

As noted by Chris McCosky of The Detroit News, he has a six-pitch mix and limited hitters to a .224 batting average and a .365 slugging percentage.

He missed two months with a shoulder injury, but came back extremely strong, finishing the season by allowing a measly seven earned runs in his last five starts. 

The Tigers are hoping he picks things up from there.

Photo: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports