Cincinnati Reds activate Michael Lorenzen from injured list

Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty ImagesCalendar year 2021 has not been kind to Michael Lorenzen.

He entered the preseason discussions as a legitimate candidate for a spot in the Cincinnati Reds rotation, one that seemed vital to the team’s potential success this year after the departures of Anthony DeSclafani and that one giant asshole in free agency. A shoulder issue derailed those hopes in spring training, however, and setbacks pushed his return to the Reds not only until mid-July, but also in a different role - as a reliever.

Fortunately, though, the rest of the Reds have picked up the pieces while waiting for Lorenzen’s return, and he’s set to rejoin the beleaguered bullpen…