Padres Showing Most Interest in Former All-Star Starting Pitcher

This veteran pitcher could bring much-needed experience to Padres' rotation.

The San Diego Padres have three starting pitchers and two question marks as of right now for their starting rotation.

They could benefit from signing one more proven starter in the big leagues, and the name they are reportedly interested in is Michael Lorenzen.

Lorenzen spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Cincinnati Reds. He was drafted as a two-way player who pitched and played outfield. His shining moment with the Reds happened when he was called on as a pinch hitter against Milwaukee on June 30, 2018, and hit a grand slam. It was his third homer of the season.

In 2019, Lorenzen became the second player in baseball history to hit a home run, earn the win as the pitcher, and play in the field in the same game. 

He signed with the Los Angeles Angels in 2022 and then with the Detroit Tigers in 2023. Lorenzen went 5-7 with a 3.58 ERA in 18 starts last season for the Tigers and made his first All-Star team.

Detroit traded him to Philadelphia, and he tossed the franchise's 14th no-hitter before his season tanked. He finished with a 5.51 ERA in seven starts and four relief appearances with the Phillies.