Reds starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen is still penciled in to start Sunday against the Dodgers. However, given his recent string of poor outings, the Reds could bump the right-hander from his next start.
"We're trying to figure out what's the best way to manage these last innings that he has," Reds manager Bryan Price said Wednesday, per MLB.com. "We knew this going into the season based on whether he was pitching effectively and pitching here, that inevitably he would run out of innings if we just kept giving him starts. I think at some point in time, he'll need to transition into the bullpen."
The 23-year-old Lorenzen is in his second pro season as a starter. He totaled 120 2/3 innings in 2014. He is up to 109 2/3 innings between the majors and minors this season, and Price revealed they want to limit his innings to 150-155.
"It's a balancing act at this point in time right now," Price said. "He's got a lot of room for growth and need for growth. We've asked a lot out of this kid. … this is his second [season as a starter] and he's had some really good moments, even though he's in a bit of a down spell right now. … but he's got some work to do. There's a lot of development that needs to take place in order for him to become the pitcher we know he'll be."