Michael Lorenzen is the best option the Cincinnati Reds have for closer. The 24-year-old has the mid-to-upper 90’s heater that makes him ideal for the role.
Lorenzen started spring training expected to return to his spot in the Reds’ rotation. Last year he started 21 games as a rookie. He started his rookie campaign strong with a 2.45 ERA in his first five starts spanning 29.1 innings.
The rest of the year didn’t go so well for Lorenzen. He finished with a 5.40 ERA in 113.1 innings. Including six Triple-A starts, Lorenzen pitched a total of 156.1 innings. That made him among the most stretched out of the Reds’ young starting pitchers heading into 2016. He was in a position to push 200 innings this year.
Unfortunately for Lorenzen, an elbow strain limited him to just two innings in spring training. His return was further delayed by a bout fo mononucleosis. Lorenzen has resumed throwing, but his return could still be a month away.
Lorenzen probably won’t be ready to resume his starter’s role once he does return. He’ll most likely return to the bullpen. He was a closer in college and pitched in relief six times last year for the Reds.
The Reds’ have four starters currently on the disabled list counting Lorenzen. The team also has six others starters currently on the 25-man roster. Of those six, only Raisel Iglesias and Brandon Finnegan look like locks to remain in the rotation once rehabbing starters Homer Bailey, Anthony DeSclafani and John Lamb return.
Lorenzen’s cause as closer is helped by the ineffectiveness of current closer J.J. Hoover, who has been battered to start the year (19.64 ERA).
Without a viable candidate to replace Hoover on the roster or in the minors, Lorenzen makes the most sense to become the closer, especially since he’s being crowded out of a rotation spot in the short term.
Robb Hoff writes about the Cincinnati Reds for OutsidePitch MLB. You can follow him on Twitter and Facebook.
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