Tigers To Focus On Pitching With Multi-Position Player; Won't Use Him Offensively

The Detroit Tigers want to optimize his potential on the mound.

Tigers starter Michael Lorenzen will not be used as a hitter this season, manager A.J. Hinch told reporters on Thursday.

A.J. Hinch just put the kibosh on this idea. He said Michael Lorenzen will work exclusively as a pitcher in 2023. 🥺 https://t.co/BM9xcl1YRw

— Evan Woodbery (@evanwoodbery) February 16, 2023

Despite Lorenzen's past experience at the plate during his time with the Cincinnati Reds, the Tigers prefer to prioritize his pitching abilities as a key component of their starting rotation.

Lorenzen signed a one-year, $8.5 million contract with the Tigers in December after he compiled a 4.24 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, with 85 strikeouts across 97.2 innings and 18 starts last season with the Los Angeles Angels.

For his batting career, the thirty-one-year-old holds a .233/.282/.429 triple-slash line, with seven home runs, 24 RBIs, five stolen bases and 20 runs scored over 133 at-bats.

He was a first-round pick by the Cincinnati Reds in the 2013 MLB Draft.
Photo Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports