MLB Weekly Digest August 14th Edition: Lorenzen Makes History

Read Time:2 Minute, 51 Second

The prior week in MLB was about a starting pitcher simultaneously making a spectacular first impression and history. A starting pitcher in the American League is out for the season with an arm injury, and a pitcher is placed on the injured list.

Philadelphia Phillies Starting Pitcher Michael Lorenzen Throws No-Hitter in Home Debut

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen had a memorable home debut for the Phillies as he tossed a no-hitter against the Washington Nationals.

Michael Lorenzen throws the 14th no-hitter in Phillies history. His family's reaction is everything. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/9NARDYMwK0

— MLB (@MLB) August 10, 2023

Lorenzen struck out five and walked four in the outing while tossing a career-high 124 pitches (76 strikes).

The no-hitter by Lorenzen is the fifth in the last 50 years with four or more walks and five or fewer strikeouts, per Mark Zuckerman of MASN.

No-hitters the last 50 years with 4 or more walks and 5 or fewer strikeouts:
Jim Abbott (9/4/93)
Scott Erickson (4/27/94)
Dwight Gooden (5/14/96)
Francisco Lirano (5/3/11)
Michael Lorenzen (tonight)

— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) August 10, 2023

This marked the 14^th no-hitter in Phillies history, going back to 1883, and the first since Cole Hamels in 2015.

It is the first time a no-hitter has been thrown at Citizens Bank Park since Roy Halladay accomplished the feat during the 2010 NLDS.

The Phillies acquired Lorenzen at the trade deadline.

Lorenzen is the eighth pitcher to throw a no-hitter after switching teams midseason, per Sarah Langs of MLB.com.

Michael Lorenzen is the 8th pitcher to throw a no-hitter after switching teams midseason, (h/t @EliasSports) joining: pic.twitter.com/xwxpfa40RR

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) August 10, 2023

He is also the fifth pitcher in MLB history to throw a no-hitter in a home debut with a team, per ESPN Stats & Info.

Michael Lorenzen is the 5th pitcher in MLB history to throw a no-hitter in a home debut with a team.

He and Don Cardwell (1960 for the Cubs) are the only ones to do it since 1900.

3 guys did it in the 19th century: Jay Hughes, Bumpus Jones, and Ed Cushman. pic.twitter.com/2BL8bZUMCQ

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 10, 2023

Lorenzen had an unforgettable home debut, which might signify more incredible things.

Tampa Bay Rays Starting Pitcher Shane McClanahan Out for Season with Arm Injury

The Tampa Bay Rays will be without starting pitcher Shane McClanahan for the rest of the season due to a left arm injury.

According to a team announcement, the team moved McClanahan from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL.

The Tampa Bay Rays have reinstated LHP Josh Fleming from the 60-Day Injured List and optioned RHP Cooper Criswell to Triple-A Durham.

To make room on the 40-Man roster, LHP Shane McClanahan has been transferred to the 60-Day Injured List.

— Rays Communications (@RaysPR) August 12, 2023

He is scheduled to meet with Dr. Keith Meister today and might need Tommy John surgery.

McClanahan was sidelined during the 2016 collegiate season at the University of South Florida following Tommy John surgery.

The left-handed pitcher left a start in August against the New York Yankees after four innings due to the outside of his forearm tightening up while he was warming up.

He was having an excellent season for the Rays before the injury.

He posted a 3.29 ERA in 115 innings pitched (21 starts) with 121 strikeouts, 41 walks issued, 15 home runs allowed, a 126 ERA +, 3.93 FIP, and a 1.18 WHIP.

The starting rotation for the Rays has been decimated by injuries this season.

If McClanahan undergoes TJ surgery, he would be the fourth pitcher to have surgery this year, joining Jeffrey Springs, Drew Rasmussen, and Shane Baz.

New York Yankees Place Starting Pitcher Nestor Cortes Jr. on IL with Rotator Cuff Injury

The New York Yankees have placed starting pitcher Nestor Cortes Jr. on the injured list with a left rotator cuff strain, per a team announcement.

Prior to tonight’s game, the Yankees made the following roster moves:
• Recalled RHP Jhony Brito (#76) and RHP Randy Vásquez (#98) from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
• Placed LHP Nestor Cortes on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to 8/8) with a left rotator cuff strain.

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) August 11, 2023

This marks the second time Cortes has been placed on the IL for this injury this season.

He missed two months after having the initial strain in June.

The pitcher mentioned that he would be shut down from throwing for about one month.

About Post Author

Chris Lacey

Chris is a New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.

[email protected]

http://ngscsports.com