Lorenzen pushing to return late this month
ST LOUIS -- Injured Reds pitcher Michael Lorenzen has likely never not pushed himself to do things farther, faster or better than expectations. That includes the timeline for his return from a right shoulder strain that has kept him out all season to this point.
Manager David Bell felt like Lorenzen could return around the All-Star break. Lorenzen has a speedier timetable.
“I think he’s being ultra-conservative, which is totally fine,” Lorenzen said from the team complex in Goodyear, Ariz., on Friday. “I think that’s worst-case scenario. I’m personally anticipating to be back by the very end of this month. That’s the way in my mind I have it mapped out.”
The 29-year-old longtime reliever was competing for a rotation spot when he was injured during Spring Training. Because it would take less time to rehabilitate, the club has determined he will work his way back for a bullpen role -- whenever he is activated.
Lorenzen has not only accepted that decision, he has chosen to embrace it.
“I told David it’s not ideal, but there is no way getting around it,” Lorenzen said. “That’s what we need and that’s the quickest way of me getting back. I want to get back out on the field as fast as possible as well. It’s just something that you could sit around, sulk about it and think about everything that went wrong. Or, for me, the first thing that came up is that I’m going to be pitching in a Major League Baseball game sooner. That’s kind of on my mind, just getting back out on the field and competing and being back with the boys.
“Everybody in our bullpen, I’m really good friends with. Get to spend a ton of time with them again, catch up and get this thing rolling. That light at the end of tunnel was a little brighter when he told me that I’m going to come back as a reliever. I’m focusing on that aspect rather than the negative side of things.”
A healthy Lorenzen, who had success last season in a multi-inning and long relief role, would be a boost to help the club in the second half. The Reds bullpen has the highest ERA in the Major Leagues entering play on Friday at 5.60.
“It makes me feel terrible, personally, to be honest, because I can’t do anything about it. I want to help out. I think my role would help out tremendously if I was pitching,” Lorenzen said. “I believe in to be able to ride it out the entire season and look back, and I think we’ll be in a really good spot. For me, to be able to come back and throw some very valuable innings, bridge that gap, whatever it may be, just come back and play. I think having another arm is going to be very beneficial.”
Lorenzen’s throwing program will have him long tossing from a distance of 120 feet on Saturday. He's also scheduled to pick up a bat and take some swings. Both Lorenzen and Bell have not ruled out having him back for a two-way role -- as a reliever, pinch-hitter, pinch-runner and outfielder -- which he did in 2019. He has seven career home runs since 2016.
“When he comes back, he will have built up his swings, and he’ll have the ability to do that for us,” Bell said. “I don’t think his injury is going to limit that or eliminate that as a possibility. He’s going to start doing a lot of shagging, which is how he always does his outfield work. Just like always, he’s a pitcher first, and we’re looking forward mostly to getting him back to help us now in the bullpen. We’ll have to see where we are with our roster at that point. But I always see him as somebody that can help offensively. He’s proven that.”
Votto update
Injured Reds first baseman Joey Votto (fractured left thumb) has played two games of a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville through Thursday. As their designated hitter, Votto is 1-for-7. Because he still feels pain catching the baseball, he hasn’t yet played first base. He also started at DH in both games of a doubleheader Friday.
“He feels good swinging the bat. No pain, timing and all that stuff,” Bell said. “Joey, I believe, is going to be fine. I think it’s just going to be a matter of seeing pitches and all that. But the big thing, the hurdle to get over still is catching a ball, the pain he’s having. We’re trying some things like pads or different things with his thumbs that fits into his glove, and just trying to figure that out, but as soon as he gets over that, I would expect him to be back with us.”