What’s next for KC Royals after re-signing pitcher Michael Lorenzen to 1-year deal?

The Kansas City Royals completed another task on their offseason to-do list this week, re-signing veteran pitcher Michael Lorenzen to a one-year contract.

Lorenzen, 33, returns on a $7 million deal with a $12 million mutual option for 2026.

Lorenzen posted a 1.57 earned-run average in seven appearances (six starts) with the Royals last season. He arrived in a midseason trade from the Texas Rangers and the Royals loved his versatility — he can pitch in a variety of roles.

Now, Lorenzen will get another shot at joining a starting rotation. He is expected to help fill the void left by Brady Singer following Singer’s trade to the Cincinnati Reds.

“Michael was a huge part of our success down the stretch last season,” Royals general manager J.J. Picollo said. “Even from the outset of our offseason, he was a target for us.

“We knew the value he brings to our staff as a starter with his veteran presence, the way he works and the way he prepares.”

Returning to the Royals’ rotation are 2024 All-Stars Cole Ragans and Seth Lugo. They will be joined by Michael Wacha, re-signed on a three-year deal earlier this offseason, and Lorenzen.

Competition for the No. 5 spot in the rotation features Kris Bubic, Alec Marsh, Daniel Lynch IV, Kyle Wright and Noah Cameron.

Lorenzen is expected to have a full-time starting role to begin the season. He has plenty of veteran experience, with a career 47-46 record and 3.99 ERA.

This offseason, Lorenzen considered taking a shot at being a two-way player before deciding to return to the Royals.

“I’m always just trying to find a way to get some at-bats, somehow,” Lorenzen said with a chuckle.

Lorenzen wanted to be back in Kansas City. He enjoyed his time with the organization and being around the pitching staff and catchers.

“It just made sense all around,” Lorenzen said of re-joining the Royals. “I loved everything about it. And I think that we are going to win and obviously that is another plus. I think they (the Royals) are going to bring the best out of me.”

Lorenzen dealt with a hamstring strain last season and spent time on the injured list. He told The Star that he is fully healthy now and ready to contribute 33 starts this season.

He’ll get a full year working with Royals pitching coaches Brian Sweeney and Zach Bove. Lorenzen said he appreciated their openness to his ideas and looks forward to building on them throughout the season.

“I thought they did a really good job of taking their time and getting to know me first before they started to kind of implement their own stuff,” Lorenzen said. “It’s just a great fit.”

So what’s next for the Royals’ starting rotation? KC will evaluate its stable of young starters this spring. Bubic returned from Tommy John surgery last season and thrived in a bullpen role. He posted a 2.67 ERA in 27 relief appearances and is viewed as a starter moving forward.

Lynch and Marsh also have both starting and relief experience. The Royals hope both can continue to develop and remain viable options for eating up innings.

Wright is another wild card. He won a World Series with the Atlanta Braves and was 21-5 in 2022. He is coming off right-shoulder surgery and it’s expected he’ll be brought along slowly early in the season.

“We won’t really know until we see him facing hitters and get some feedback from him throughout the month of March to know how close he is to being ready to face major-league hitters,” Picollo said of Wright.

The Royals could decide to use multiple pitchers in a particular bullpen role. Picollo is confident in the pitching staff’s ability and knows depth will be important in the Royals’ drive to return to the postseason.

KC continues to look for ways to strengthen its lineup with a big middle-of-the-order bat. But time is running short, as pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report for Royals spring training in Surprise, Arizona on Feb. 12.