The Major Leagues have expanded the rosters to 26 this season and have capped the number of pitchers at 13. From opening day to August 31, teams can have 26 players which expands to 28 active players in September.
Lorenzen is a special case. He started in centerfield in six games last year with three or more plate appearances. If a player pitches at least 20 innings, plays a defensive position or is a designated hitter in 20 games in which he has at least three plate appearances, he can be designated a two-way player and would essentially be the 14th pitcher on the roster.
Shohei Ohtani is the only player in the Major Leagues to qualify for 2020, although Lorenzens six games can be used to make him eligible to be designated a two-way player.
David Bell plans to use Lorenzen in similar roles this season.
“I don't know what the date was but there was a point at the end of last season, we said ok, when you're available as a position player, he will be totally available," Bell said. " Early on I was a little bit hesitant because I was worried about his energy level. He was so important to our bullpen by the end of the year it got to where. It is different from day-to-day. Depending where he is as a pitcher, his availability factors intova how I can use him for a game. It will be different everyday but I'm not going to hold him back in that way. If there is a way that we can win a game as a position player and it doesn't effect his pitching, he will be totally available.”
It was difficult for Bell last year to pull the trigger on use of Lorenzen's versatility.
“It was a combination of me feeling comfortable and his energy level," Bell said. "I do think at some point, I realized that I probably held him back a little bit too much. We got to a point in the year, that I felt like we could see the end. I wasn't as concerned about wearing him out. I said now is the time to see this and find out. He handled it extremely well. It was important to go through that.”
Ther use of Lorenzen is difficult because of the requirements involved and the Reds are loaded with outfielders, the Reds signed Shogo Akiyama,Travis Jankowski and Nick Castellanos to join Aristedes Aquino, Phillip Ervin, Scott Schebler, Nick Senzel and Jesse Winker. The Reds claimed outfielder Mark Payton off the A's roster in the Rule V draft.
“The way it would have taken him to qualify as the 14th pitcher. It would have taken him starting every day almost. It would have been tough. Right now just the one player qualifies for it. You never know. We will see how that rule evolves.”
The 26-man roster provides more flexibility. Last season Jose Peraza, who signed with the Boston Red Sox, and infielder Josh VanMeter and Kyle Farmer played in the outfield.
“We have to maximize it. I know all the teams. We like to be able to carry 13 pitchers. We have to make the most of it during the season. Absolutely, it opens a spot for an extra position player. We have some good options. We have a guy like Kyle Farmer, who can catch and play multiple positions. Potentially, carrying a third catcher will be an easier thing to do. It opens up a lot of flexibility with the roster. It creates more opportunity for more guys.”
“Lorenzen doesn't qualify as a two-way player. He will have to be classified as a pitcher on the roster. We still have the ability to use him as a position player like we did last year. This year he will have to be classified as one of the 13 pitchers.”
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