Justin

Lawrence

After being picked up from the Rockies, Lawrence missed most of last year with elbow inflammation, but he allowed just one run over 17 2/3 innings while healthy. He’ll be in the mix for a setup role as the potential No. 2 right-hander in the Pirates pen.

The 30-year-old right-hander rejoins the Pirates’ bullpen after missing nearly five months due to inflammation in his right elbow. Prior to landing on the injured list, Lawrence had registered a 0.79 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and a 15/6 K/BB ratio over 11 1/3 innings in his first 11 appearances. Colin Holderman was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis in a corresponding move on Friday.

Lawrence won’t be eligible to return from his elbow issue until the end of June. The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Tanner Rainey.

No word yet on how long the 30-year-old right-hander is expected to be sidelined for. Mike Burrows was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis in a corresponding move on Thursday to take Lawrence’s place in the Pirates’ bullpen.

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.