The Pittsburgh Pirates claimed right-hander Justin Lawrence off waivers on Monday from the Colorado Rockies. The 30-year-old reliever finds a new home in the National League after being waived by the Rockies on Saturday. Colorado let him go after a tough 2024 campaign that saw him post a 6.49 ERA (5.63 FIP), a 1.78 WHIP, two saves, 45 strikeouts and 33 walks in 59 2/3 relief innings. The year before, he had a career-low 3.72 ERA and a career-high 11 saves in 75 innings pitched. Most of Lawrence's struggles came from a dip in velocity on both his fastball and sinker, which led to a career-low 16.1 percent strikeout rate. Lawrence will bring experience to an inexperienced Pirates bullpen, but he won't be a lock to make the Opening Day bullpen. And if Lawrence makes the team, he'll be a late-inning setup man in front of closer David Bednar, at best.

Colorado Rockies right-handed pitcher Justin Lawrence was placed on waivers. After posting a 3.72 ERA with a 1.35 WHIP during the 2023 season, Lawrence took a step back in 2024 as he held a 6.49 ERA with a 11.78 WHIP. In 2023, Lawrence tallied 11 saves and tallied 78 punchouts across 75 frames. However, in 2024, Lawrence tallied just two saves with 45 strikeouts across 59 2/3 innings. Last summer, Lawrence generated a high 6.23 xERA and a .300 xBA which placed him in the first percentile in both metrics. He also generated whiffs at a low 22.6 percent rate and strikeouts at a 16.1 percent rate, which were both well below the average marks. Given his struggles last season, Lawrence will likely not draw extensive interest on waivers.

The Colorado Rockies placed right-hander Justin Lawrence (arm) on the 15-day injured list on Monday with a right-shoulder strain. In other moves, the Rockies selected the contract of left-hander Josh Rogers from the minors and recalled right-hander Peter Lambert while designating right-hander John Curtiss for assignment. Lawrence hasn't been very good at all for the Rockies in a high-leverage, late-inning role for the Rockies and is now hurt. Overall, he's gone 1-3 with a 5.91 ERA (4.11 FIP), a 1.83 WHIP, two saves, 15 walks and 20 strikeouts in 21 1/3 relief innings in his fourth big-league season. The walks haven't helped one bit, and Lawrence's recent arm injury could explain why he's been even worse recently. At the moment, Tyler Kinley and Jalen Beeks appear to be the team's top options for saves, with Kinley locking down two of the last three saves.

The Colorado Rockies announced on Monday that they reinstated right-hander Justin Lawrence from the paternity list and optioned right-hander Angel Chivilli to Double-A Hartford in a corresponding move. Lawrence was away from the club over the weekend during their series in Pittsburgh against the Pirates, but he'll be available out of the bullpen for the start of a new series on Tuesday against the San Francisco Giants. The 29-year-old leads the Rockies with two saves so far this year but also has a 6.00 ERA (2.49 FIP) and 1.50 WHIP with five walks and 13 strikeouts in 12 innings. Lawrence should return to primary closing duties in Colorado but should only be attractive to fantasy managers in deeper leagues that are desperate for saves. Jalen Beeks picked up the team's last save on Friday with Lawrence away from the team.

The Colorado Rockies are expected to place right-handed reliever Justin Lawrence on the paternity list and to summon right-hander Angel Chivilli from Double-A Hartford for their upcoming series in Pittsburgh against the Pirates. Lawrence is technically the Rockies' closer with two saves on the year, but he's also sporting an ugly 7.20 ERA (2.94 FIP) and 1.80 WHIP with five walks and 10 strikeouts in his 10 innings in 11 appearances out of the 'pen for the lowly Rockies. The 29-year-old is only worth rostering for fantasy managers that are desperate for saves, but Lawrence isn't going to see a ton of chances if the Rockies continue playing like they have been. If a save situation arises this weekend in Pittsburgh with Lawrence away, it will likely go to Jake Bird.

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Justin Lawrence threw a perfect ninth inning in a 10-9 victory over the San Diego Padres, picking up his second save in the process. Lawrence struck out one and didn't allow a baserunner in his inning of work. Although he hasn't been good this year, as evidenced by his 5.59 ERA and 1.55 WHIP, Lawrence still might be the best Colorado has in its bullpen. He has the team's last two saves and is likely to remain in that role. He doesn't need to be owned in standard leagues, but deeper league managers who play in saves-only formats might want to give Lawrence a look.

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Justin Lawrence secured his first save of the season in Tuesday's victory against the San Diego Padres. Lawrence allowed a hit in the frame, but no runs, walks or strikeouts. Lawrence has struggled with a 6.23 ERA on the season, but could be the top option for a Rockies team that is unlikely to see many save opportunities this season. Between his struggles, team and home ballpark, Lawrence can be ignored in most formats at the moment.

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Justin Lawrence picked up his first save of the season in Tuesday's 7-4 win over the Padres. Lawrence came in to pitch the top of the ninth inning up by three. He got the first two outs on a lineout and groundout, allowed a single, and ended the game on a flyout. Lawrence has pitched poorly overall this season with a 6.23 ERA and a 4.15 K/9 in nine appearances. The Rockies may not see many save opportunities this season, as this was just their fourth. However, Jake Bird has seen two of them and has pitched better than Lawrence, so he may be the best fantasy option right now in deeper roto leagues.

Colorado Rockies pitchers Tyler Kinley and Justin Lawrence are set to battle for the team's closer role in spring training. "We'll talk and as this spring progresses, those conversations will tighten up about role expectations," manager Bud Black said. Kinley saved five games down the stretch in September last year after returning from Tommy John surgery, while Lawrence had a career-high 11 saves in 2023. The Rockies probably aren't going to have a ton of save opportunities, so whoever is officially named the primary ninth-inning arm won't be all that attractive to fantasy managers and will almost certainly be on a short leash. The 29-year-old Lawrence should probably be considered the favorite for the role in Colorado for now.

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Justin Lawrence (ankle) was pulled from Friday's game versus the San Francisco Giants due to an ankle injury. The 28-year-old landed awkwardly on his left ankle during his eighth-inning appearance after striking out Joc Pederson, forcing his departure. Right-hander Nick Mears relieved him, but Tyler Kinley figures to be next in line for save chances in the event that the sidearming Lawrence requires time on the mend. Although, manager Bud Black doesn't expect an injured list stint at this time. The Rockies will have to dig deep into their bullpen reserves in the meantime with Daniel Bard (forearm) also currently shelved. Fantasy managers would be scraping the bottom of the barrel if veering into this ninth-inning mix at this juncture of the season for potential saves, but Kinley is worth a look for desperados.

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Justin Lawrence blew his fifth save of the season and took the loss in Tuesday's 8-5 game against the Diamondbacks. Lawrence came in to pitch the top of the ninth up by two. He allowed a leadoff single, a double, and a game-tying two-RBI single. He then got the first out on a flyout, allowed a go-ahead RBI double, got the second out on a flyout, and allowed another RBI double before being replaced. His stranded runner eventually came around to score, leaving Lawrence with a final line of five runs on five hits in 2/3 of an inning. The 28-year-old does have 10 saves this season to go with a 3.49 ERA. While the Rockies may not offer a ton of save opportunities, Lawrence does appear to be the arm to roster in deeper roto leagues.

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Justin Lawrence picked up his 10th save of the season in Monday's 6-4 win over the Diamondbacks. Lawrence came in to pitch the top of the ninth inning up by two and turned in a 1-2-3 inning with three strikeouts. The 28-year-old has settled into the closer's role for the team and has now converted 10 of 14 save opportunities with a 2.76 ERA, a 9.36 K/9 rate, and a 3.99 BB/9 rate. The Rockies may not see a ton of save opportunities and have the disadvantage of playing their home games in Coors Field, but Lawrence's role makes him worth a roster spot in deeper roto leagues at this time.

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Justin Lawrence notched his ninth save Sunday by slamming the door on the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1-0 win. Lawrence was asked to pick up the final four outs in this one and, although he was shaky, managed to convert. He allowed a hit and walked a pair, but got through without allowing a run. This was a nice bounce-back for Lawrence, who has hit a bit of a rough patch lately after being excellent for most of the season. The Rockies don't have any other good options to close out games, so he should have a pretty long leash as their closer. Unfortunately, on a team as bad as Colorado, Lawrence might not see many saves. Still, in standard or deeper leagues he should be rostered.

Colorado Rockies right-hander Justin Lawrence threw one inning of no-hit ball on Tuesday, allowing no walks and striking out one to close out Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Houston Astros and record his sixth save of the campaign. The outing brought his line to an impressive 2.57 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 25.8% strikeout rate, to go along with eight holds across 49 innings. The Rockies closer situation has been fluid this season, but all of Lawrence's saves have come since the beginning of June, and it looks like he's leading the committee. Fantasy managers looking for saves can add the 28-year-old in deeper leagues.

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Justin Lawrence held on for his fourth save of the season in a 4-3 win over the Los Angeles Angels. Lawrence allowed three hits and a run but managed to salvage the win. He appears to be the preferred option out of the Rockies bullpen, especially given today's usage with Pierce Johnson pitching to seventh and Daniel Bard tossing the eighth. Still, it might be more of a mix-and-match situation, especially given the results today. With the Rockies being awful, this bullpen should only be looked at in deeper leagues, but Lawrence should still be the best option from it.

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Justin Lawrence wasn't at his best on Sunday against the San Diego Padres, but he was able to pick up his third win of the season. Lawrence entered a tie game in the ninth inning and allowed an unearned run on one hit while walking two and striking out none in an inning of work. He was credited with the win when the Rockies scored two runs to walk it off in the bottom of the ninth. Since taking over the closer's role in Colorado, the 28-year-old right-hander has struggled, giving up four runs (three earned) while striking out four and walking three in 5 1/3 innings pitched. He also blew a save and was hit with a loss last Wednesday. Lawrence is really only worth rostering if you're desperate for saves in deep fantasy leagues.

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Justin Lawrence blew a save and was saddled with a loss on Wednesday against the San Francisco Giants when he allowed two runs on one hit while walking one and striking out two in two innings of work. It was a hiccup in an otherwise solid season to this point for Lawrence, who had picked up the team's last two saves in their last series with the Kansas City Royals. The 28-year-old right-hander should still be considered the favorite for saves in Colorado despite Wednesday's blown save and loss. Overall, Lawrence is sporting a 3.41 ERA (2.73 FIP), 1.08 WHIP, two saves, 13 walks and 37 strikeouts in 34 1/3 relief innings in 2023.

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani hit his major league-leading 31st homer in the third, and Juan Lagares ended it with a two-run double in the ninth inning of the Los Angeles Angels’ 6-5 comeback victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday. Cedric Mullins hit a tiebreaking homer for Baltimore in the ninth in his first game after making his first All-Star team, but the Angels jumped all over Cole Sulser (2-1) without making an out in the bottom half. After Los Angeles loaded the bases on a walk and two short singles, Lagares doubled to the gap in right-center, extending the Angels’ winning streak to five games. Raisel Iglesias (6-3) got the win. Ohtani tied the MLB record for the most homers in a season by a Japanese-born player when he blasted a 459-foot solo shot off Thomas Eshelman to straightaway center. It was his 14th homer in 17 games overall. Less than an hour later, Ohtani became the first player in major league history to be picked for an All-Star Game as both a hitter and... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani hit his major league-leading 31st homer in the third, and Juan Lagares ended it with a two-run double in the ninth inning of the Los Angeles Angels’ 6-5 comeback victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday. Cedric Mullins hit a tiebreaking homer for Baltimore in the ninth in his first game after making his first All-Star team, but the Angels jumped all over Cole Sulser (2-1) without making an out in the bottom half. After Los Angeles loaded the bases on a walk and two short singles, Lagares doubled to the gap in right-center, extending the Angels’ winning streak to five games. Raisel Iglesias (6-3) got the win. Ohtani tied the MLB record for the most homers in a season by a Japanese-born player when he blasted a 459-foot solo shot off Thomas Eshelman to straightaway center. It was his 14th homer in 17 games overall. Less than an hour later, Ohtani became the first player in major league history to be picked for an All-Star Game as both a hitter and... [More]