Pirates Claim Justin Lawrence from Rockies

The Pittsburgh Pirates have claimed right-handed pitcher Justin Lawrence off waivers from the Colorado Rockies, as reported by Thomas Harding ofMLB.com.The Rockies placed Lawrence on waivers over the weekend, and while the Pirates have yet to formally announce the claim, they will need to make a corresponding move on their 40-man roster to accommodate Lawrence once the transaction is official. The 30-year-old pitcher had agreed to a $975K salary earlier this offseason, avoiding arbitration in the process. The Pirates will assume this salary and hope to see a resurgence in Lawrence's performance after a challenging 2024 season.
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Lawrence struggled in 2024, posting a 6.49 ERA. However, he showed promise as a reliable late-inning reliever for the Rockies in 2023, saving 11 games and recording 11 holds with a 3.72 ERA. The Pirates are banking on a rebound effort from Lawrence, who has demonstrated the ability to be an effective bullpen arm in the past. As the Pirates integrate Lawrence into their roster, they will be closely monitoring his progress and looking for him to regain his previous form to bolster their relief corps.