Lorenzen leaves start against Guardians due to thigh strain

CLEVELAND, Ohio (KCTV) – For the second day in a row, a starting pitcher for the Kansas City Royals had to leave a start early due to injury.

During the second inning of Tuesday night’s game between the Royals and the AL Central-leading Cleveland Guardians, right-handed pitcher Michael Lorenzen clumsily injured himself while attempting a double play at first base.

Lorenzen, making his fifth start for the Royals since being signed in late July, stayed in the game and managed a strikeout before later walking off a batter.

The Royals said Lorenzen was out because of a strained left hamstring. The injury came a day after left-handed pitcher Cole Ragans struggled with control and exited his start – despite throwing over 90 pitches and going four innings – with tightness in his left hamstring and calf.

After the first game of the doubleheader on Monday, Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Ragans was OK. It remains to be seen if Lorenzen will spend any time on the injured list after leaving Tuesday’s game.

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Lorenzen had a 1.99 earned run average in his first four starts for the Royals. He left the game with Kansas City leading 2-0 in the bottom of the second inning and the Royals trying to take the lead in the AL Central.

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