Rockies predicted to cut former Phillies, Reds All-Star amid 8.01 ERA problem

Rockies predicted to cut former Phillies, Reds All-Star amid 8.01 ERA problem originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Pitching at Coors Field, the home stadium of the Colorado Rockies, is never easy for starting pitchers. 

That’s often why free agents pitchers avoid signing long-term contracts with the Rockies.

It appears to have significantly hurt a 12-year veteran who has pitched for five different organizations since the start of 2023. 

Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller wrote Monday that the Rockies could consider designating right-hander Michael Lorenzen for assignment. 

“Coors Field has not been kind to Lorenzen, saddled with a 9.67 ERA in six home starts with the Rockies,” Miller wrote. “But other fields haven’t been much kinder, sitting at a 6.68 ERA on the road this season.” 

No matter where Lorenzen has pitched this season, the results haven’t been pretty. His 99 hits and 54 runs allowed lead the Majors. 

Lorenzen, an All-Star with the Detroit Tigers in 2023, is in danger of setting a record that hasn’t been accomplished in 26 years. 

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“If they do decide to hang onto him, though, here’s your early heads up that the most recent pitcher to allow at least 135 earned runs in a single season was José Lima in 2000,” Miller added. “Lorenzen is on pace to change that.” 

In all likelihood, the Rockies signed Lorenzen to a one-year deal in hopes of flipping him at the trade deadline and to fill a rotation spot.

Trading him doesn’t appear to be an option now, as his value has severely diminished. 

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