Blue Jays sign veteran pitcher Lorenzen to one-year contract

TORONTO -- The Blue Jays signed veteran right-hander Michael Lorenzen to a one-year contract on Thursday to help shore up a bullpen that has been used heavily in recent weeks. Lorenzen was released by the Colorado Rockies earlier this month. His arrival in Toronto came a day after the Blue Jays used seven relievers in a 3-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals. “Availability for length and availability to do a lot of different things,” Toronto manager John Schneider said before the Blue Jays faced the Royals. Lorenzen, who started 25 of his 26 appearances with the Rockies this year, was available out of the bullpen for Thursday night’s game. Lorenzen, a 12-year MLB veteran, was 3-11 with a 7.08 ERA this season with Colorado. The 34-year-old Lorenzen spent his first seven seasons with the Cincinnati Reds and was an All-Star with the Detroit Tigers in 2023.