Royals place red-hot Lorenzen on IL with hamstring strain

The Kansas City Royals placed right-hander Michael Lorenzen on the 15-day injured with a hamstring strain, the team announced Wednesday.

Lorenzen sustained the injury in the second inning of Tuesday's game against the Cleveland Guardians while covering first base on Daniel Schneemann's grounder.

The 32-year-old stayed in the contest to face another batter before right-hander Carlos Hernández replaced him.

Entering Tuesday's action, Lorenzen had a 1.99 ERA with 1.14 WHIP and 16 strikeouts over 22 2/3 innings (four starts) since coming over to the Royals in a trade with the Texas Rangers at the deadline.

The Royals recalled righty Steven Cruz from Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding roster move.

Kansas City enters Wednesday tied with Cleveland for the top spot in the AL Central.