Reds need pitching and the Rockies just handed them a perfect reunion opportunity

The Cincinnati Reds are so desperate for pitching that they recently selected the contract of a player who spent the majority of this season in the independent leagues. Kent Manuel did a fine job during Game 1 of Monday's doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals, but the left-hander was designated for assignment just before the night cap.

Former Reds' fireballer Michael Lorenzen was just DFA'd by the Colorado Rockies in order to make room for another right-handed pitcher, TJ Shook. Lorenzen spent seven seasons in Cincinnati, and while he's had a down-year in Denver, Cincinnati could use an extra arm.

The Reds just lost Hunter Greene for the rest of the 2026 season — and all of 2027 — after he was diagnosed with a UCL injury. The right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery last week and likely won't see the field until 2028.

Cincinnati also faces the harsh reality of having to limit Chase Burns' usage in the very near future. While Terry Francona and the Reds' coaches have yet to put Burns on actual pitch count, he's already reached a career-high in innings pitched (131) and is unlikely to go much past 150 on the year.

Then there's Nick Lodolo. The southpaw is still building up his stamina following a blister on his left index finger that cost him nearly a month on the IL. Greene's injury forced the lefty to return to the active roster after just one rehab start. Lodolo tossed 73 pitches during his previous outing, but given his track record, you never know when that blister issue will creep back up.

Rhett Lowder has now eclipsed 100 innings of work, and after missing all of last season due injury, one has wonder if he's on an innings-restriction as well. Brandon Williamson still hasn't returned from a shoulder injury that forced him onto the IL back in April, and two of the Reds' top Triple-A arms — Julian Aguiar and José Franco — are currently on the IL as well.

In short, outside of Andrew Abbott and Brady Singer, the Reds don't have any other reliable starters in their rotation. That's where Lorenzen comes in.

The Reds should take a flier on Michael Lorenzen to help finish out the 2026 season

The veteran righty spent most of his time in Cincinnati as a reliever, but since leaving the Reds organization in 2022, he's become an effective starter. Lorenzen has spent time with the Rockies, Los Angeles Angels, Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, Kansas City Royals, and Texas Rangers.

Since departing Cincinnati, he's averaged nearly 24 starts per season and over 125 innings pitched. His 4.64 ERA is less than inspiring, but the Reds simply need an extra arm to get through the remainder of the 2026 season.

Lorenzen also has experience as a reliever. Of his 126 games played since 2022, eight have come in relief. Given the current state of the Reds' bullpen, the right-hander could be useful there as well.

The Reds brought Eugenio Suárez back to Cincinnati earlier this year; maybe it's time for another reunion.

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