Phillies acquire Lorenzen from Tigers

August 1st, 2023

The Phillies have acquired right-handed pitcher Michael Lorenzen from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for minor league infielder Hao-Yu Lee, Phillies President of Baseball Operations David Dombrowski announced today.

A first-time All-Star for the Tigers this season, Lorenzen has made 18 starts and has posted a 3.58 ERA (42 ER, 105.2 IP) with 83 strikeouts to 27 walks.  Lorenzen has faced 418 batters this season and his 6.5 percent walk rate ranks 21st among the 75 major league pitchers with at least 100.0 innings pitched this season.  Additionally, his 1.09 WHIP ranks 15th among those 75 pitchers and his 122 ERA+ is tied for 22nd with Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider.

Lorenzen, 31, has thrown his four-seam fastball 33.7 percent of the time and opponents are batting .178 against it with a .262 slugging percentage.

Originally selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the first round (38th overall) of the 2013 MLB Draft out of California State University, Fullerton, Lorenzen has pitched parts of nine seasons for the Reds (2015-21), Los Angeles Angels (2022) and Tigers (2023).

Lee, 20, was originally signed by the Phillies as an amateur free agent on June 15, 2021.  A native of New Taipei, Taiwan, he appeared in 67 minor league games between single-A Jersey Shore and the Florida Complex League Phillies this season and slashed .279/.367/.395 with a .762 OPS.

To make room for Lorenzen on the 40-man roster, infielder Josh Harrison was designated for assignment.  Harrison slashed .204/.263/.291 in 114 plate appearances for the Phillies this season.