Michael Lorenzen’s departure from Royals starts with lower-body fatigue

WASHINGTON – Kansas City Royals right-hander Michael Lorenzen left in the third inning of a 3-0 win against the Washington Nationals on Wednesday night with lower-body fatigue in his first action since returning from the injured list.

Lorenzen (left hamstring) was activated from the 15-day IL before the game to make his first start since August 27. The Royals said Lorenzen was removed from the game “out of an abundance of caution.”

He retired seven batters, struckout two and did not allow a hit in 28 pitches. He left halfway through Nasim Nunez’s at bat with a 1-0 lead after a visit from the training staff.

“I could tell my leg had reached its limit and I didn’t want to push against it,” Lorenzen said. “We’re so close to where we want to be. And I feel like the value of my availability for that is more important than me trying to push through something.”

After the game, Royals manager Matt Quatraro expressed optimism that Lorenzen could contribute as a reliever in the postseason games.

“We only have four regular season games left,” Quatraro said. “He’s not going to get any of those starts unless something crazy happens. But you know, when he’s rested, I think he’ll be a guy we can count on again.”

Daniel Lynch IV came in and completed another scoreless frame as the Royals won 3-0.

The Royals (84-74) currently hold the second AL wild-card spot ahead of Detroit (84-74) based on their head-to-head record and are 2 1/2 games ahead of Minnesota (81-76) and Seattle. (82-77).

The Royals close out the season with a three-game set against Atlanta, which currently sits a half-game out of the final NL wild card spot.