Pirates Trade: Justin Lawrence Dealt to Twins
The Pittsburgh Pirates have traded relief pitcher Justin Lawrence to the Minnesota Twins for cash considerations. Lawrence had been designated for assignment on Friday to make room on the roster for right-hander Jared Jones.
Lawrence appeared in 23 games out of the bullpen for the Pirates this season and went 0-2 with a 5.32 ERA. The right-hander totaled 22 innings, allowed 22 hits, walked 12 and struck out 25.
Lawrence, who was claimed off waivers from the Rockies during last year’s spring training, went 1-0 with a 0.51 ERA in 17 appearances with Pittsburgh in 2025. He missed most of the year with right elbow inflammation.
The 31-year-old looked poised to emerge as a key piece in the bullpen for the Pirates this season, but his struggles were part of the reason the bullpen had been shaky through the first two months of the season.
The Pirates had been hoping Lawrence would clear waivers and head to Triple-A Indianapolis as depth, but the chances of that were low.
More about:Pirates Transactions
Ironic, thought the Bucs would pick up Topa, who was DFA’d by the very same Twins org.
See where Woods-Richardson ends up… someone will take a flier. Maybe best bet is a bullpen piece.