The Colorado Rockies have signed veteran right-handed pitcher Lorenzen to a one-year contract.

MLB.com reporter Mark Feinsand's sources reveal that veteran right-handed pitcher Michael Lorenzen has reached a one-year, $8 million agreement with the Colorado Rockies. This deal is pending official confirmation from the club and contains a $9 million team option for 2027.

Since departing the Cincinnati Reds in 2019, Lorenzen has been a free agent for five consecutive offseasons, signing multiple short-term contracts with the Los Angeles Angels, Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers, and Kansas City Royals.

After being traded mid-2024 from the Rangers to the Royals, Lorenzen delivered impressive performances in the final stretch: he appeared in 7 games post-trade deadline (starting 6), pitching 28 innings with an ERA of just 1.57. However, his 2025 season saw a decline, with a 4.64 ERA over 141.2 innings, though his 8.1 strikeouts per nine innings was the highest full-season mark since becoming a full-time reliever in 2019. The main issue was surrendering 25 home runs in one season, setting a career high.

Now 33 years old, Lorenzen only needs a few more days on a major league active roster to reach ten years of service time. During this period, his pitch mix has remained largely consistent, and his velocity stable—peaking during his Reds relief days, with his four-seam fastball velocity holding steady between 94-95 mph after transitioning to a starter role.

Between 2021 and 2024, hitters' slugging percentage against his four-seam fastball never exceeded 0.341. However, last season, that figure surged to 0.509, with batters hitting 6 home runs and 6 doubles off the pitch. This marked Lorenzen’s highest number of home runs allowed on his four-seam fastball since his rookie year in 2015.

In recent seasons (including 2025), the changeup has consistently been Lorenzen’s most effective strikeout pitch. Last year, he used it 17.3% of the time; in 115 at-bats finished with the changeup, he generated a 42.4% whiff rate, striking out 35 batters while allowing only two home runs.