Last season, Cincinnati Reds pitcher Michael Lorenzen made it known to pitching coach Derek Johnson that he’d like to pitch in all 60 games out of the bullpen.
This year’s plan is a little more complicated.
Lorenzen wants to spend the entire season in the starting rotation and throw 180 innings. He wants to contribute as a pinch-hitter, a pinch-runner and a center fielder. And he wants to appear in at least three out of every five games.
“I’ve always said (that) me starting is what enables me to maximize those other tools,” Lorenzen said. “People always try to tell me otherwise and I always tell them, ‘you’re not the one doing it.