Reds: Art Warren’s injury paves the way for Michael Lorenzen’s return

Well, I think we have our answer. The Cincinnati Reds placed Art Warren on the 10-day IL likely paving the way for Michael Lorenzen‘s return to the team. Warren exited his last appearance prematurely and Lorenzen’s been on the injured list since the regular season began.

Now, with Lorenzen returning from the 60-day IL, another transaction will have to be made. While Warren’s oblique strain will put the right-hander out of commission until July 22nd at the earliest, the team will have to outright another player or designate someone from the 10-day IL to the 60-day IL in order to find Lorenzen a spot on the 40-man roster.

Taking a look at Cincinnati’s 40-man roster, the front office could decide to outright right-hander Ashton Goudeau or perhaps outfielder Mark Payton. Michael Feliz could always be reinstated and then designated for assignment in order to clear a spot. Or, perhaps the team will shift Alex Blandino from the 10-day IL to the 60-day IL, meaning the infielder can’t return until early August.

The Reds are likely to reinstate Michael Lorenzen tomorrow.

While questions about who the Cincinnati Reds will remove from the 40-man roster remain a secret, the one thing that won’t stay secret is who’s most likely to take Art Warren’s spot in the bullpen; and that’s right-hander Michael Lorenzen.

Lorenzen’s return will be a welcome sight for Reds’ fans who’ve seen their bullpen perform well below expectations this season. That said, the likes of Heath Hembree, Brad Brach, Josh Osich have performed admirably in the absence of Lorenzen, Lucas Sims, Jeff Hoffman, and Tejay Antone.

Lorenzen has been MIA since the beginning the season, dealing with a shoulder injury that turned out to be worse than expected. Thought to be minor upon initially discovering the issue in spring training, the problem quickly became a bigger issue once Lorenzen was it was revealed that the California native would be placed on the 60-day IL.

However, Lorenzen appears to be healthy now, having seen action in rehab assignments Arizona and at Triple-A Louisville. In 5.1 innings, Mikey Biceps has a 1.69 ERA and allowed just two hits and one walk while striking out eight.

Michael Lorenzen’s return may be the first of many the Cincinnati Reds are hoping to see in the second-half of the 2021 season. It sounds as though Antone, Sims, and Nick Senzel may be back in the coming weeks as well. Mike Moustakas’ return is still up in the air.