Justin

Lawrence

Lawrence was designated for assignment Saturday and finds a new home a couple days later. The 30-year-old was awful with a 6.49 ERA in 59 2/3 innings in 2024, but offers a middle-inning arm for the Pirates to begin the 2025 campaign.

Lawrence was awful in 2024 with a 6.49 ERA and 1.78 WHIP while forging an ugly 45/33 K/BB over his 59 2/3 innings. Teams could have interest in Lawrence because of his previous success and hope he can rebound away from Coors Field, but it’ll all but assuredly be in a low-leverage role.

The 30-year-old right-hander briefly held the Rockies’ closer role in 2024 but ultimately registered a putrid 6.49 ERA, 1.78 WHIP and a 45/33 K/BB ratio over 59 2/3 innings with just two saves on the season. Fantasy managers would be wise to avoid the Rockies’ bullpen altogether in 2025.

Lawrence missed three weeks with a shoulder strain. It’ll probably take a little while, but he should work his way back into the closing mix for the Rockies as the year goes along. That’s no reason to roster him at the moment, though.

Lawrence has been sidelined since late May due to a right shoulder strain. The Rockies are hoping that, with rest and mechanical improvements, they “will get him on a roll.” Lawrence has not had a great season, posting a 5.91 ERA and 1.83 WHIP in 21 1/3 innings. Perhaps the mechanical tweaks will unlock some of the level he flashed last year.

The move was retroactive to May 26th, but the club may not feel the need to rush the 29-year-old back. Lawrence has a 5.91 ERA and 1.83 WHIP in 21 1/3 innings with three blown saves. He has not pitched well enough for the Rockies to trust him at the end of games and should not be on many fantasy rosters. Josh Rogers was called up in a corresponding move.

The Rockies’ bullpen usage was interesting to say the least. Jalen Beeks, who has four saves this year, entered in the seventh inning. After pitching a scoreless 1 1/3 innings, Beeks started the ninth inning by walking Brandon Marsh. Lawrence came in and immediately allowed a game-tying triple to Edmundo Sosa. Garrett Stubs followed with a single to put the Phillies ahead. Lawrence’s ERA is up to 5.91 now. He has two saves this year and is in the mix for future save opportunities, but this bullpen situation isn’t pretty.

Jalen Beeks’ hold on the closer’s role in Colorado got a little stronger tonight. Lawrence, who has been dealing with an inflated ERA since giving up four earned runs in his second outing of the season, had been pitching well in amassing a 1.08 ERA this month. Still, he really needs to cut down on the walks; he’s issued 12 in 19 1/3 innings this season.

Beeks might be the Rockies’ closer now, though we’re not sure it matters much. He has a 2.33 ERA in 19 1/3 innings, but that comes with a modest 14/8 K/BB ratio. While Justin Lawrence still projects better than Beeks going forward, he doesn’t seem worth rostering at the moment. Those in dire need of saves could try Beeks, but that’s not us saying we recommend him.

Lawrence was away from the team for three days. He’ll likely return to the closing role with Angel Chivilli heading back to Double-A Hartford with Lawrence back.