Tigers could face former pitcher in crucial series as Royals rehab lines up closely

Last year, Michael Lorenzen was to the Tigers what Jack Flaherty was to the Tigers in 2024. Lorenzen, a pitcher with some history of injury and a bit of a fixer-upper, signed on a one-year, $8.5 million deal before the 2023 campaign. After spending seven years in the Reds' bullpen, he was reworked as a starter with the Angels in 2022, and his 4.24 ERA in Anaheim's rotation was enough to get him one in the Tigers' for 2023.

Despite starting the season on the IL, he had a respectable first two-thirds of the year in Detroit. He pitched 105 2/3 innings for the Tigers to a 3.58 ERA, and because the Tigers were 35-46 and five games behind the division-leading Twins in late July with the trade deadline approaching, they sold him to the Phillies for prospect Hao-Yu Lee.

Lorenzen went on to pitch a no-hitter in his first start at home at Citizens Bank, but his season took a quick downturn after that and the Phils ended up kicking him to the bullpen before letting him go in free agency. He signed with the Rangers, who then traded him to the Royals at the deadline this year.

He went onto the IL on Aug. 28 with a hamstring strain but was sent out on a rehab assignment on Sept. 10, which means he could be ready to face the Tigers when they head out to Kansas City next week.

A Tigers-Michael Lorenzen reunion may be in the cards during upcoming Royals series

Lorenzen has already seen the Tigers twice this season, first as a member of the Rangers, fresh off his first IL stint, and then again during his first start with the Royals after being traded. He's performed well against his old club in both scenarios, pitching 10 cumulative innings and only giving up one earned run (but also issuing seven walks).

The Tigers need to figure out how to get the better of him if they do see him during next week's series, as it will probably make or break Detroit's chances in the playoffs. After their win over the Baltimore Orioles on Friday night, they're 76-72 and just 2.5 games behind the Twins for the last Wild Card spot. The Twins have lost 17 of their last 24 and the Royals have been uneasy the last few weeks.

Detroit is neck-and-neck with the Red Sox and Mariners, but facing a team actively in the Wild Card picture could make all the difference, especially if they can take the series against the O's and the Reds can spoil the Twins' chances before heading to Kansas City for a three-game set early next week.