Cincinnati Reds’ Michael Lorenzen to Undergo MRI on Elbow

After being scratched from his second spring start last week due to elbow tenderness, Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitcher Michael Lorenzen has been shut down from throwing and will undergo an MRI, according to MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon.

The 24-year-old had an ultrasound done on his elbow that showed no damage and he resumed throwing on Friday. He was set for a bullpen session on Tuesday, but he felt more soreness in his elbow after throwing on Sunday.

It’s an unfortunate setback for the talented Lorenzen, who came into spring looking to display improved command on the mound and secure a rotation spot, which seemed like a given with Homer Bailey and John Lamb on the mend from their respective surgeries. His first start of the spring was encouraging, as he threw two flawless innings and struck out a pair.

Even if the MRI rules out any significant injury, the Reds will most assuredly be extra cautious with Lorenzen. If he’s unable to start the season with the team — which seems to be a real possibility under the current circumstances — the Reds will have a fair share of options to look at to take his place in the rotation.

Robert Stephenson is the first name that comes to mind. The Reds’ top pitching prospect is on the 40-man roster and has pitched well this spring (3.60 ERA, five strikeouts, one walk). However, there’s the issue of starting his arbitration early. Cody Reed could also come into play, but with no experience above Double-A to this point, will the Reds put him on the 40-man roster and start his clock early?

If starting the service clock on their two best pitching prospects isn’t something the Reds want to do at the beginning of the season, they have some other arms in camp to fill the void. Though they once looked like the longest of long shots to make the club, Tim Melville and Jonathan Sanchez could be next on the pecking order, as both have also been named as candidates for a rotation spot. At this point, Melville seems more likely to make the staff than Sanchez, who has struggled with the faulty control that knocked him out of Major League Baseball for the last two seasons. In five spring innings, Melville has allowed three runs (one earned) and five hits, while striking out five and walking one.

The Reds are certainly hoping it doesn’t come to that, however. For what it’s worth, No. 21 seems to be in good spirits about the unfortunate news. Manager Bryan Price told the media he’d know more about Lorenzen’s status on Tuesday. For now, hold your breath, Reds fans.