Not wanting to let the July trade deadline pass without trying to improve his starting lineup and facing strong competition for a spot in the MLB playoffs, KC Royals general manager JJ Picollo traded promising relief pitcher Walter Pennington for Texas right-hander Michael Lorenzen one day before the deadline.

The deal paid immediate dividends for the Royals – Lorenzen, 5-6 with a 3.81 ERA for the Rangers, was 2-0 with a 1.99 ERA for the Royals before stepping on the mound for his fifth start for Kansas City on Aug. 27. But then his movement up the rotation needle came to an abrupt halt.

Lorenzen pitched to an early 2-0 lead in the second inning in Cleveland, but then suffered a hamstring injury that landed him on the injured list the next day. He’s been there ever since, but his return could be imminent. Lorenzen, who was coming off a pair of minor league rehab appearances in which he allowed four runs, walked three and had six strikeouts in six innings, pitched in a simulated weekend game at Kauffman Stadium. MLB.com Royals sportswriter Anne Rogers reported that he was “feeling good” and said he could return to pitch against Washington this week.

Drew Waters wins a great award from the International League

Expectations were high for outfielder Drew Waters when the Royals acquired him from Atlanta two summers ago. But after several trips from Triple-A Omaha to Kansas City since then, Waters has failed to live up to those expectations — in 137 major league games, he has posted just a .229 batting average with 13 home runs and 51 RBIs, including .188 with a run drive in in seven games this season.

These numbers probably help explain why the Royals, who have suffered from weak outfield bats all season, have not drafted him into the MLB playoff race.

However, Waters is doing quite well in Omaha – so well, in fact, that the International League just named him Player of the Week.

And rightly so. From September 17-23, Waters hit .565 (13 for 23), struck out 1,067, had five RBIs, and hit two home runs, four doubles, and a triple. He’s hitting .290/.379/.494 with 13 home runs and 61 RBIs. He also stole 20 bases.

And speaking of Omaha…

Waters and the Storm Chasers are coming off the winningest season in the Triple-A franchise’s history. A road victory against Louisville last week gave them their record-tying 87th win and they finished the regular season on Sunday with an 89-59 record, the best in the International League.

But the Chasers still have more work to do before heading into the baseball winter.

They’re playing for the championship. Omaha opens the best-of-three International League championship series tonight against Columbus. Games 1 and 2, plus a third game if needed, are scheduled for tonight, Wednesday night and Thursday night at 6:35 p.m. CDT. Hosted by the Storm Chasers.

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