Michael Lorenzen

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Michael Lorenzen

|image = Michael Lorenzen on a rehab start (52803412583).jpg

|image_size = 275

|caption = Lorenzen on a rehab start in 2023

|position = Pitcher

|team = Kansas City Royals

|number = 24

|bats = Right

|throws = Right

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|1|4}}

|birth_place = Anaheim, California, U.S.

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = April 29

|debutyear = 2015

|debutteam = Cincinnati Reds

|statyear = April 17, 2025

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 48–47

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 4.01

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 716

|teams =

Cincinnati Reds ({{mlby|2015}}–{{mlby|2021}})
Los Angeles Angels ({{mlby|2022}})
Detroit Tigers ({{mlby|2023}})
Philadelphia Phillies ({{mlby|2023}})
Texas Rangers ({{mlby|2024}})
Kansas City Royals ({{mlby|2024}}–present)

|highlights =

All-Star (2023)
Pitched a no-hitter on August 9, 2023

}}

Michael Clifton Lorenzen (born January 4, 1992) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Angels, Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, and Texas Rangers.

In college baseball, Lorenzen was a pitcher and outfielder for the Cal State Fullerton Titans. The Reds selected Lorenzen in the first round of the 2013 MLB draft, and he made his MLB debut with the Reds in 2015. Lorenzen signed with the Los Angeles Angels for the 2022 season and with the Tigers before the 2023 season. He was named an MLB All-Star in 2023.

The Tigers traded Lorenzen to the Phillies prior to 2023 season trade deadline, where he threw a no-hitter. He signed with the Rangers for the 2024 season.

Education and amateur career

Lorenzen attended Fullerton Union High School in Fullerton, California, where he played for the school's baseball team. He had a batting average above .400 as a freshman. The Tampa Bay Rays selected Lorenzen in the seventh round of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft. Lorenzen opted not to sign, and instead enrolled at California State University, Fullerton, to play baseball for the Titans. In 2012, he was named an All-American{{cite web|url=http://www.ocregister.com/articles/lorenzen-495985-baseball-year.html|title=Baseball: CSF's Lorenzen keeping the faith|work=The Orange County Register|access-date=April 28, 2015|date=February 14, 2013}} and a finalist for the John Olerud Award.{{cite web|last=Liebeskind |first=Josh |url=http://www.khq.com/story/22601116/gonzales-finalist-for-two-way-poy |title=Gonzales Finalist For Two-Way POY – Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather |publisher=Khq.com |access-date=August 17, 2013}} Lorenzen has also played on the United States national collegiate baseball team.{{cite web|last=Gonzalez |first=Ricardo |url=http://www.dailytitan.com/2012/04/csuf-baseball-player-joins-usa-baseball-team/ |title=CSUF baseball player joins USA Baseball Team |publisher=Dailytitan.com |date=April 26, 2012 |access-date=May 28, 2013}} In 2012, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Brewster Whitecaps of the Cape Cod Baseball League.{{cite web|url=https://baseball.pointstreak.com/player.html?playerid=318338&seasonid=12252 |title=#43 Mike Lorenzen |publisher=pointstreak.com |accessdate=September 23, 2021}}

Professional career

=Cincinnati Reds=

Lorenzen was considered to be among the best prospects eligible for the 2013 Major League Baseball draft,{{cite web|last=Mayo |first=Jonathan |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130521&content_id=48154840&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb |title=Outfielders in MLB's First-Year Player Draft have considerable potential | MLB.com: News |date=May 21, 2013 |publisher=Mlb.mlb.com |access-date=May 28, 2013}} and was ranked as the #52 prospect by Baseball America.{{cite web|url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft-preview/ |title=Draft Preview Database |publisher=BaseballAmerica.com |access-date=August 17, 2013}} He was selected with the 38th pick by the Cincinnati Reds.{{cite web |author=06/06/13 at 11:02pm by C. Trent Rosecrans Comments |url=http://cincinnati.com/blogs/reds/2013/06/06/reds-take-rhpof-michael-lorenzen-at-38/ |title=Reds take RHP/OF Michael Lorenzen at 38 | Cincinnati Reds |publisher=Cincinnati.com |date=December 17, 2012 |access-date=August 17, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130822130401/http://cincinnati.com/blogs/reds/2013/06/06/reds-take-rhpof-michael-lorenzen-at-38/ |archive-date=August 22, 2013 }} He signed and made his professional debut with the Arizona League Reds. He also pitched for the Dayton Dragons, Bakersfield Blaze, and the Pensacola Blue Wahoos during the season. In 21 innings pitched between the four clubs, he was 1–1 with a 3.00 earned run average (ERA).

The Reds invited Lorenzen to spring training as a non-roster invitee in 2014.{{cite web|url=http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?c_id=cin&ymd=20140115&content_id=66681892&vkey=news_cin|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116213254/http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?c_id=cin&ymd=20140115&content_id=66681892&vkey=news_cin|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 16, 2014|title=Two top prospects among non-roster additions|work=Cincinnati Reds|access-date=April 28, 2015}} He pitched for Pensacola in 2014, started 24 games, and pitched to a 4–6 win–loss record and a 3.13 ERA in {{frac|120|2|3}} innings pitched. He tried out for the Reds in spring training in 2015 as a relief pitcher{{cite web|url=http://www.cincinnati.com/story/redsblog/2015/03/10/pitcher-michael-lorenzen-could-make-cincinnati-reds-as-relief-pitcher/24704897/|title=Michael Lorenzen could make Reds as reliever|date=March 10, 2015|work=Cincinnati.com|access-date=April 28, 2015}} but was reassigned to the minor leagues before the start of the season.{{cite web|url=http://www.cincinnati.com/story/redsblog/2015/04/02/reds-cuts-include-sam-lecure-michael-lorenzen/70827496/|title=Reds cut Sam LeCure, re-assign Michael Lorenzen|date=April 2, 2015|work=Cincinnati.com|access-date=April 28, 2015}} He started the 2015 season with the Louisville Bats.

The Reds promoted Lorenzen to the major leagues to start on April 29, 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.redreporter.com/2015/4/28/8510079/cincinnati-reds-homer-bailey-michael-lorenzen|title=Michael Lorenzen to debut for Reds Wednesday|author=Wick Terrell|work=Red Reporter|access-date=April 28, 2015|date=April 28, 2015}} He made his major league debut that day, pitching five innings against the Milwaukee Brewers. He gave up eight hits, including three home runs, walked one and struck out five, and was credited with the 8–3 loss.{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=350429117|title=Braun hits solo homer, grand slam as Brewers beat Reds 8–3|agency=Associated Press|work=ESPN|date=April 29, 2015|access-date=April 29, 2015}}{{Cite web |title=Milwaukee Brewers vs Cincinnati Reds Box Score: April 29, 2015 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN201504290.shtml |access-date=January 23, 2025 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}} He stayed with Cincinnati before being optioned to Louisville on August 14. He was recalled by the Reds on August 31. In 27 games (21 starts) for the Reds, he was 4–9 with a 5.40 ERA, and in six starts for Louisville, he was 4–2 with a 1.88 ERA.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/player/jacob-barnes-606930|title=Michael Lorenzen Stats, Highlights, Bio – MiLB.com Stats – The Official Site of Minor League Baseball|publisher=Minor League Baseball|access-date=June 24, 2018}}

During spring training in 2016, he was diagnosed with a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow,{{cite web|url=http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/reds/2016/03/15/mri-shows-cincinnati-reds-michael-lorenzen-has-mild-ucl-sprain/81816972/|title=Reds pitcher Michael Lorenzen has mild UCL sprain|first=Zach|last=Buchanan|work=Cincinnati Enquirer|date=March 15, 2016|access-date=March 19, 2016}} and he did not return until mid-June. He pitched out of the bullpen for Cincinnati upon his return, and he finished the year with a 2–1 record and a 2.88 ERA in 35 relief appearances. In 2017, he was 8–4 with a 4.45 ERA in 70 appearances in relief.

Lorenzen was called up to pinch-hit in the seventh inning of a June 30, 2018, game against the Brewers and hit a grand slam off pitcher Jacob Barnes. It was Lorenzen's third home run of the 2018 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=380630117|title=RHP Michael Lorenzen's pinch-hit grand slam leads Reds over Brewers 12–3|work=ESPN|date=July 1, 2018|access-date=July 1, 2018}}

During the 2018–2019 offseason, Lorenzen worked extensively as an outfielder and stated he had eagerness and desire for the transition to a two-way player.{{cite web|url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/reds/2019/01/17/reds-players-happy-move-rebuilding-stage-tucker-barnhart-scooter-gennett-michael-lorenzen-boshers/2602904002/ |title=With an active offseason, Cincinnati Reds players happy to move on from rebuilding stage |publisher=Cincinnati.com |date=January 17, 2019 |accessdate=November 29, 2021}} On September 4, 2019, Lorenzen became the second player in baseball history to hit a home run, earn the win as the pitcher, and play in the field in the same game when the Reds defeated the Phillies, 8–5. The other player to achieve the feat was Babe Ruth on June 13, 1921.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=401076823|title=Phillies vs. Reds – Game Recap – September 4, 2019 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com|language=en|access-date=September 5, 2019}} In 2020 for the Reds, Lorenzen pitched in 18 games, registering a 3–1 record and a 4.28 ERA with 35 strikeouts in {{frac|33|2|3}} innings of work.{{cite web|url=https://blogredmachine.com/2020/10/04/cincinnati-reds-review-grading-michael-lorenzen-2020-season/ |title=Cincinnati Reds review: Grading Michael Lorenzen's 2020 season |publisher=Blogredmachine.com |date=October 4, 2020 |accessdate=November 29, 2021}}

On April 14, 2021, Lorenzen was placed on the 60-day injured list with a shoulder strain.{{cite web|author=Steve Adams |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/04/reds-claim-phillip-diehl-waivers-rockies-michael-lorenzen-60-day-il-shoulder.html |title=Reds Claim Phillip Diehl, Put Michael Lorenzen on 60-Day Injured List |publisher=Mlbtraderumors.com |date=April 14, 2021 |accessdate=November 29, 2021}} On July 17, Lorenzen was activated off of the injured list.{{cite web|author=Anthony Franco |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/07/minor-mlb-transactions-7-16-21.html |title=Minor MLB Transactions: 7/16/21 |publisher=MLB Trade Rumors |date= July 16, 2021|accessdate=November 29, 2021}}

=Los Angeles Angels=

On November 30, 2021, Lorenzen signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels worth $6.75 million.{{cite news |title=Los Angeles Angels sign longtime Reds RHP Michael Lorenzen |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2021/11/30/los-angeles-angels-sign-longtime-reds-rhp-michael-lorenzen/49461471/ |access-date=April 12, 2022 |agency=Associated Press |publisher=USA Today |date=November 30, 2021}} Lorenzen sought to sign with a team that would allow him to start games and picked the Angels out of several offering teams because of his childhood in the Anaheim area.{{cite news |last1=Bollinger |first1=Rhett |title=Lorenzen eyes starting; Rendon arrives at camp |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/michael-lorenzen-discusses-moving-to-starting-role |access-date=April 12, 2022 |work=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media |date=March 15, 2022}} He made his Angels debut on April 11, 2022, starting the game and pitching 6 innings with 2 hits and 1 earned run allowed while striking out 7 against the Miami Marlins.{{cite news |last1=Bollinger |first1=Rhett |title=Lorenzen outmuscles Miami in 7-K Halos debut |url=https://www.mlb.com/angels/news/michael-lorenzen-angels-debut |access-date=April 12, 2022 |work=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media |date=April 11, 2022}}

On May 1, 2022, Lorenzen made his longest career start against the Chicago White Sox, giving up 3 runs in {{frac|8|1|3}} innings of work.{{cite web |last1=Fletcher |first1=Jeff |title=Angels avoid disaster by clinging to victory over the White Sox |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2022/05/01/angels-avoid-disaster-by-clinging-to-victory-over-the-white-sox/ |website=Orange County Register |date=May 1, 2022}} On July 7, the Angels placed Lorenzen on the 15-day injured list due to a strain in his right shoulder. An MRI found that there was no structural damage from the injury.{{cite news |last1=McDonald |first1=Darragh |title=Angels Place Michael Lorenzen On IL With Shoulder Strain |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/07/angels-place-michael-lorenzen-on-il-with-shoulder-strain.html |access-date=August 23, 2022 |work=MLB Trade Rumors |date=July 9, 2022}} He was later transferred to the 60-day injured list{{cite news |last1=Mathisen |first1=Jon |title=Michael Lorenzen Transferred To 60-Day Injured List Share |url=https://www.rotoballer.com/player-news/michael-lorenzen-transferred-to-60-day-il/1050077 |access-date=August 23, 2022 |work=Rotoballer}} and was activated on September 9. In 18 starts, Lorenzen finished the season with an 8–6 record, posting a 4.24 ERA with 85 strikeouts.

=Detroit Tigers=

On December 20, 2022, Lorenzen signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Tigers worth $8.5 million.{{cite web |title=Michael Lorenzen, Tigers finalize $8.5M, 1-year contract |url=https://www.wxyz.com/sports/michael-lorenzen-tigers-finalize-8-5m-1-year-contract |website=WXYZ 7 Action News Detroit |publisher=Associated Press |language=en |date=December 20, 2022}} Lorenzen started the season on the injured list with a left groin strain.{{Cite web |date=March 26, 2023 |title=Tigers 3B Nevin, RHP Lorenzen to start on IL |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/35957111/tigers-3b-tyler-nevin-rhp-michael-lorenzen-start-23-il |access-date=April 15, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} He was activated off the injured list on April 15, 2023, to make his Tigers debut starting against the San Francisco Giants.{{Cite web |title=Tigers' Michael Lorenzen: Activated for Saturday start |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/tigers-michael-lorenzen-activated-for-saturday-start/ |access-date=April 15, 2023 |website=CBSSports.com |date=April 15, 2023 |language=en}} Lorenzen represented the Tigers at the 2023 MLB All-Star Game.{{cite web | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/michael-lorenzen-earns-first-career-all-star-selection | title=Lorenzen to rep Tigers at '23 All-Star Game | website=MLB.com }} He posted a 3.58 ERA in 18 starts for Detroit.

=Philadelphia Phillies=

On August 1, 2023, Lorenzen was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for prospect Hao-Yu Lee.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/michael-lorenzen-trade-phillies-acquire-all-star-pitcher-from-tigers-to-help-rotation-during-playoff-push/|first=Mike|last=Axisa|title=Michael Lorenzen trade: Phillies acquire All-Star pitcher from Tigers to help rotation during playoff push|website=CBSSports.com|date=August 2023 }}{{cite news |last1=Rogers |first1=Jesse |title=Phillies acquire All-Star starter Michael Lorenzen from Tigers |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/38115627/phillies-acquire-all-star-starter-michael-lorenzen-tigers |access-date=August 2, 2023 |work=ESPN.com |date=August 1, 2023}} On August 9, in his first home start in Philadelphia, with his mother, wife, and daughter in attendance, Lorenzen threw a no-hitter in a 7–0 win over the Washington Nationals. The no-hitter was the 14th in Phillies franchise history, and the first since Cole Hamels in 2015.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/michael-lorenzen-no-hitter-phillies-nationals-mlb/|title=Phillies' Michael Lorenzen tosses no-hitter in victory over Nationals|work=CBS News|date=August 9, 2023|accessdate=August 9, 2023}} Lorenzen struggled after the no-hitter, posting a 5.51 ERA in 11 games for Philadelphia. He pitched twice in relief in the playoffs, allowing no runs but 4 baserunners in {{Fraction|2|2|3}} innings.{{Cite web |title=Michael Lorenzen 2024 Postseason Pitching Game Logs |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=lorenmi01&t=p&year=0&post=1 |access-date=January 23, 2025 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}} He became a free agent following the season.

=Texas Rangers=

On March 22, 2024, Lorenzen signed a one-year, $4.5 million contract with the Texas Rangers.{{Cite web |last=Landry |first=Kennedi |title=Lorenzen headed to Texas on 1-year deal |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/michael-lorenzen-rangers-contract |access-date=March 22, 2024 |website=MLB.com |language=en}} He waited until March to sign, hoping for a multi-year contract.{{Cite web |date=March 22, 2024 |title=Rangers Sign Michael Lorenzen |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/03/rangers-to-sign-michael-lorenzen.html |access-date=January 23, 2025 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=March 5, 2024 |title=Michael Lorenzen Seeking Two-Year Deal |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/03/michael-lorenzen-rumors-two-year-deal.html |access-date=January 23, 2025 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}} In 19 games (18 starts) for the Rangers, Lorenzen had a 5–6 record, 3.81 ERA, and 75 strikeouts across {{fraction|101|2|3}} innings pitched.

=Kansas City Royals=

On July 29, 2024, Lorenzen was traded to the Kansas City Royals for Walter Pennington.{{cite news |title=Royals acquire Michael Lorenzen from Rangers to boost rotation |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/40672572/royals-acquire-michael-lorenzen-rangers-boost-rotation |access-date=July 29, 2024 |work=ESPN.com |date=July 29, 2024}} In 7 games (6 starts) for the Royals, he posted a 2-0 record and 1.57 ERA with 22 strikeouts across {{fraction|28|2|3}} innings pitched.{{Cite web|title=Michael Lorenzen Being Marketed As Two-Way Player To Circumvent Roster Limits On Pitchers|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/12/michael-lorenzen-rumors-two-way-player-white-sox-marlins-roster-limit-pitchers.html|access-date=January 11, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=December 19, 2024 |language=en}} He took the loss in Game 1 of the American League Division Series, allowing one run and one inherited runner to score. He pitched one more scoreless inning as the Royals lost to the New York Yankees.

On January 8, 2025, Lorenzen re-signed with the Royals on a one-year, $7 million contract.{{Cite web|title='We're going to win': Lorenzen reunites with Royals on 1-year deal|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/michael-lorenzen-royals-contract|access-date=January 16, 2025|website=mlb.com|language=en}} Before signing, he had considered once again attempting to become a two-way player, in part to circumvent an MLB rule limiting the number of pitchers allowed on an MLB active roster.{{Cite news |last=Rosenthal |first=Ken |title=Inside the unique plan to sell free-agent pitcher Michael Lorenzen as a two-way player |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6005197/2024/12/19/michael-lorenzen-two-way-player/ |access-date=January 23, 2025 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite web |date=December 19, 2024 |title=Michael Lorenzen Being Marketed As Two-Way Player |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/12/michael-lorenzen-rumors-two-way-player-white-sox-marlins-roster-limit-pitchers.html |access-date=January 23, 2025 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}}

Personal life

Lorenzen has three older brothers: Jonathan, Matthew, and Anthony. Jonathan played two seasons in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, and Matthew played college baseball at Cypress and Fullerton Colleges.{{cite web|url=http://www.ocregister.com/articles/lorenzen-350477-michael-fullerton.html|title=Lorenzen in a hurry … to succeed|work=The Orange County Register|access-date=April 28, 2015|date=April 22, 2012}}{{cite web | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-jun-09-sp-39354-story.html |title = Katella's Lorenzen Signs with Dodgers|website = Los Angeles Times|date = June 9, 2000}}{{Cite web |title=Jonathan Lorenzen Minor Leagues Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=lorenz001jon |access-date=January 23, 2025 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}

Both of Lorenzen's parents struggled with drugs and alcohol and frequently fought, with Lorenzen stating that police would show up at his house "almost every single weekend."{{cite web | url=https://rapzilla.com/2016-02-116-fan-michael-lorenzen-shares-his-testimony-from-broken-home-to-mlb/ | title=116 Fan Michael Lorenzen Shares His Testimony from Broken Home to MLB| date=February 12, 2016}} Lorenzen began experimenting with drugs and alcohol in eighth grade, but stopped when he was 17 after a man read him the Gospel.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/reds/2017/02/10/name-father/97237722/|title=In the Name of the Father|first=Zach|last=Buchanan|website=The Enquirer}}{{cite web | url=https://sportsspectrum.com/sport/baseball/2018/06/28/cincinnati-reds-pitcher-michael-lorenzen-says-his-motivation-and-purpose-is-christ/ |title = Cincinnati Reds pitcher Michael Lorenzen says his motivation and purpose is Christ|date = June 28, 2018}} He is now a devout Christian.{{cite web|url = http://christopherapage.com/uncategorized/unashamed-mike-lorenzen-cincinnati-reds/|title = Unashamed – Michael Lorenzen – Cincinnati Reds|date = July 21, 2015|access-date = June 10, 2019|archive-date = February 3, 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160203013141/http://christopherapage.com/uncategorized/unashamed-mike-lorenzen-cincinnati-reds/|url-status = dead}} He has Bible verses and references tattooed on both arms.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/reds/2018/11/27/michael-lorenzen-glass-water-forehead-floor-without-hands/2126880002/|title=Reds pitcher Michael Lorenzen moves glass of water from forehead to floor without hands|first=Dave|last=Clark|website=The Enquirer}}{{cite web |title=McCoy: Home-run hitting relief pitcher Lorenzen — the Reds' Babe Ruth — gets start in center field |url=https://www.daytondailynews.com/blog/cincinnati-reds/mccoy-home-run-hitting-relief-pitcher-lorenzen-the-reds-babe-ruth-gets-start-center-field/ylZCntHLJqq7Wwizo6MVRI/ |website=Dayton Daily News}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdIY3Hi5i_I |title=CHC@CIN: Lorenzen displays his faith with new tattoo |date=July 20, 2015 |last=MLB |access-date=January 23, 2025 |via=YouTube}}{{Cite news |last=Seidel |first=Jeff |date=April 2, 2023 |title=Tattoos seen throughout Detroit Tigers clubhouse reveal interesting stories |url=https://eu.freep.com/in-depth/sports/mlb/tigers/2023/04/02/tattoos-seen-in-detroit-tigers-clubhouse-reveal-interesting-stories/70044617007/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402120941/https://eu.freep.com/in-depth/sports/mlb/tigers/2023/04/02/tattoos-seen-in-detroit-tigers-clubhouse-reveal-interesting-stories/70044617007/ |archive-date=April 2, 2023 |work=Detroit Free Press}}

Lorenzen's father died in August 2016. In his first game back from the bereavement list on August 19, 2016, he hit his first career home run and dedicated it to his father.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/michael-lorenzen-honors-late-father-with-homer-c196509210|title=Emotional Lorenzen honors late father with 1st MLB HR|website=MLB.com |date=August 19, 2016}}

Lorenzen and his wife, Cassi, married in November 2016.{{cite web|url=https://www.wcpo.com/sports/baseball/reds/michael-lorenzen-fiancee-tie-the-knot-in-southern-california|title=Reds pitcher Lorenzen, fiancee tie the knot|date=November 24, 2016}} They have a daughter, named June, born in 2023.{{cite web |last1=Randhawa |first1=Manny |title='One more pitch': Lorenzen's family hangs on every moment of no-no |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/michael-lorenzen-throws-no-hitter-with-mom-wife-and-daughter-at-the-game |website=MLB.com |access-date=August 11, 2023}}