Royals starter Michael Lorenzen is on the 15-day injured list due to a strained left thigh

CLEVELAND – Royals starter Michael Lorenzen was placed on the 15-day injured list after straining his left thigh while covering first base against the Cleveland Guardians.

Lorenzen, who was acquired in a July 29 trade from Texas, returned to Kansas City after the 6-1 win at Progressive Field. The right-hander was scheduled to undergo an MRI, but the team has not yet released the results.

Lorenzen, 32, left the game after throwing 1 2/3 scoreless innings. He was injured on a grounder to first base by Daniel Schneemann, but managed to strike out Lane Thomas and throw a pitch to Bo Naylor before leaving the field.

Lorenzen has a 2-0 record and a 1.85 ERA in five starts for the Royals, who are tied with Cleveland for the top spot in the AL Central. In 24 total appearances, the former Reds two-way player has a 7-6 record and a 3.43 ERA.

Steven Cruz, a 6-foot-4 right-handed reliever, was recalled from Triple-A Omaha.

Left-hander Cole Ragan suffered from leg cramps and had to leave the field in the fifth inning of the 4-3 win over the Guardians. The injury turned out to be harmless and he will play his next game in Houston.