New Texas Rangers infielder Corey Seager speaks at a press conference at Globe Life Field Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, in Arlington, Texas. The Texas Rangers have finalized the contracts for their new half-billion dollar middle infield, wrapping up their deals Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021 with two-time All-Star shortstop Corey Seager and Gold Glove second baseman Marcus Semien.(AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)
Every athlete has a different way of motivating themselves. For Texas Rangers right-handed pitcher Michael Lorenzen, his long offseason of uncertainty is enough to fuel him every time he hits the mound this season.
Lorenzen was an All-Star in 2023 and despite sputtering out at the end of the season, he expected several teams to engage their interest during free agency last winter. That was not the case and Lorenzen did not sign a contract until March 22, less than a week before Opening Day.
Lorenzen told The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal that he was frustrated by the minimal interest he received as a free agent. He committed to pitching with anger this season and even told his agent Ryan Hammil he’d call him before a start to generate that feeling.
“I’m going to call you before every start and you’re going to remind me how this offseason went so I go out there and pitch remembering exactly how I feel at this moment,” Lorenzen recalled.
After starting the season on the injured list, Lorzenzen has honed those feelings into a 3.05 ERA across 10 starts. He’s been a much-needed reliable arm in a Rangers starting rotation plagued by injuries. He has six quality starts and went at least six innings in eight starts.
Pitching on a one-year deal, Lorenzen is determined to put himself in a better position next offseason than last. It could mean a more lucrative return if he continues to pitch competitively.
“I’m a human and I’m a sinner and I want to seek revenge,” Lorenzen said. “But my revenge is just going out and competing. I always had that drive to want to get better. But there are different levels, different gears. You have a fourth gear and fifth gear. It definitely kicked me back into fifth gear.”
Rangers pitching staff holding its own
The Rangers have a slew of notable pitchers on their 40-man roster but have been unable to roll out a consistent starting rotation. After using 10 different pitchers to start a game last season, the Rangers already used nine this year. That doesn’t include Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer who are expected to return to the mound at some point in 2024.
Texas took an unconventional approach to their pitching staff this year, signing Lorzenzen and Tyler Mahle to add to their crowded starting pitcher depth. The Rangers knew they needed more proven veterans who could help mitigate the absences of their top-of-the-rotation guys. It’s worked out for the most part.
