Royals starter Michael Lorenzen will have an MRI after hamstring injury vs. Guardians

Kansas City Royals starter Michael Lorenzen left Tuesday’s game against the Cleveland Guardians with a left hamstring strain.

In the second inning, Lorenzen was checked by the Royals’ training staff after a force play at first base. He apparently took an awkward step as he covered the bag.

“When he stretched to try to complete the double play, he just kind of landed awkwardly,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said.

Moments later, Royals captain Salvador Perez alerted the coaches as everyone gathered on the mound for a discussion.

“We know it’s a hamstring,” Quatraro said after the game. “He is flying back early in the morning to get an MRI so we can find out. We think it’s mild, but doubtful that he will be able to pitch in five days. But we will have to wait until (Wednesday).”

Lorenzen tested his hamstring by throwing a few warmup pitches. He initially stayed in the game and faced Guardians outfielder Lane Thomas. Lorenzen threw three sweepers and a slider to strike out Thomas.

But Lorenzen couldn’t continue further.

“I think initially he was trying to figure out not what it was, but how bad it was,” Quatraro said. “You saw him kind of gingerly throw the first warmup pitch and then he had a couple more with a little more intensity on it. As he pitched to Thomas, he aggravated it. He was going for a strikeout there. He probably ramped up a little too much.”

The Royals’ staff came back out to the mound. Lorenzen left with the trainers as Quatraro called upon right-handed reliever Carlos Hernandez.

Hernandez emerged from the bullpen to face Guardians catcher Bo Naylor. He recorded a strikeout to strand two runners on base.

“Carlos set the tone,” Quatraro said of the pitching performance that followed in a 6-1 Royals win. (KC is now tied with the Guardians atop the AL Central.) “... He really nailed it.”

Lorenzen has been a solid addition this season. He’s posted a 1.85 ERA since joining the Royals at the MLB trade deadline. Tuesday’s game was his fifth start after arriving from the Texas Rangers.