Lorenzen may come up to start Monday

CINCINNATI -- As starter David Holmberg struggled again for the Reds against the Dodgers on Wednesday, Michael Lorenzen had a third straight excellent performance for Triple-A Louisville. With Holmberg's next turn scheduled for Monday vs. the Cubs, it's possible it could go to Lorenzen instead.

Since Lorenzen was sent back to Louisville on Aug. 13, he is 2-1 with a 1.13 ERA and one complete game in three starts over 24 innings. In a 3-0 victory on Wednesday, he pitched eight scoreless innings with one hit, two walks and four strikeouts. Holmberg is 0-3 with a 15.19 ERA in his past three starts, and he allowed six earned runs and seven hits over 3 2/3 innings vs. Los Angeles.

One issue for Lorenzen is that he's nearing an innings limit, which manager Bryan Price had previously revealed to be between 150-155 innings. The right-hander is at 133 2/3 combined for the Majors and Triple-A.

"But I would imagine he'll probably have another start or two. Where that is, is still yet to be decided," Price said Thursday. "What we're trying to do is figure out the best way to utilize the innings he has remaining. It could be to start him another time or two and then segue him into the bullpen and finish up. I think it's important he's here. He's throwing the ball well and I'd certainly love to see him get an opportunity to start another game or two before we have to concern ourselves with his innings limits."

Lorenzen was 0-6 with an 8.49 ERA over his past eight big league starts as he struggled with fastball command. If he does not start Monday in Chicago, he will almost certainly arrive soon after rosters can expand Tuesday.