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Nationals designate Justin Lawrence for assignment

Justin Lawrence

WSH Relief Pitcher #44

Player Stats

Nationals designated RHP Justin Lawrence for assignment.

Lawrence, who was claimed off waivers from the Twins last month, gave up three runs and walked seven in 6 1/3 innings during his four weeks with the Nationals. He’ll likely be going back on waivers for the third time this year after opening up with the Pirates.

- Matthew Pouliot

Transaction

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Justin Lawrence

WSH Relief Pitcher #44

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Nationals outrighted RHP Justin Lawrence to Triple-A Rochester.

Lawrence cleared waivers and accepted the assignment. He’ll look to rebuild his value in the International League.
Justin Lawrence

WSH Relief Pitcher #31

Nationals claimed RHP Justin Lawrence off waivers from the Twins.

Lawrence has been let go by both the Pirates and Twins while posting an 8.04 ERA and giving up eight homers in 28 innings this season. He’s out of options, so the Nationals will add him to their pen once he reports, perhaps at Carson Palmquist’s expense.
Justin Lawrence

MIN Relief Pitcher #31

Twins designated RHP Justin Lawrence for assignment.

Lawrence has been removed from Minnesota’s bullpen mix after allowing 12 runs with a 12/9 K/BB ratio across six innings. The 31-year-old reliever came over from the Pirates in a small trade earlier this month. He figures to generate some interest on waivers as a middle relief depth option.
Justin Lawrence

MIN Relief Pitcher #61

Twins acquired RHP Justin Lawrence from the Pirates for cash.

Lawrence heads to Minnesota after struggling to an inflated 5.32 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 25/12 K/BB ratio across 22 innings for the Pirates this season. The 31-year-old middle reliever is a sinker/sweeper combo arm with decent velocity but he doesn’t miss enough bats or possess the pinpoint control to envision pitching in high-leverage spots at this stage of his career.
Justin Lawrence

PIT Relief Pitcher #61

Pirates designated RHP Justin Lawrence for assignment.

Lawrence had an 0.51 ERA with the Pirates in 2025 in 17 2/3 innings, but reverted back in to usual form (career 5.05 ERA) with a 5.32 ERA in 22 innings thus far in 2026. This move clears roster space for the activation of Jared Jones. Lawrence should draw interest on waivers if healthy as he’s on a reasonable $1.225 million contract.
Justin Lawrence

PIT Relief Pitcher #61

Pirates agreed to terms with RHP Justin Lawrence on a one-year, $1.225 million contract.

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.
Justin Lawrence

PIT Relief Pitcher #61

Pirates activated RHP Justin Lawrence from the 60-day injured list.

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.
Justin Lawrence

PIT Relief Pitcher #61

Pirates transferred RHP Justin Lawrence from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list.

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.
Justin Lawrence

PIT Relief Pitcher #61

Pirates placed RHP Justin Lawrence on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation.

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.
Justin Lawrence

PIT Relief Pitcher #61

Pirates claimed RHP Justin Lawrence off waivers from the Rockies.

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.

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Zach Dezenzo

HOU Left Fielder #9
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Astros optioned OF Zach Dezenzo to Triple-A Sugar Land.

He’ll take the Metro to southwest Houston. Dezenzo received 31 plate appearances in his month of action on the roster and hit .250/.323/.250 with one stolen base. It sounds like Jake Meyers will be ready to be activated soon.
- Rivers McCown

Transaction
Jake Meyers
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Carlos Rodriguez

MIL Relief Pitcher #27
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Brewers sent RHP Carlos Rodriguez outright to Triple-A Nashville.

LHP Thomas Pannone joined him in clearing waivers and being sent to Nashville, though Pannone is old enough that he can refuse the assignment and become a free agent if he wishes.
- Rivers McCown

Transaction
Thomas Pannone
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Josh Naylor

SEA 1st Baseman #12
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Josh Naylor is not in Thursday’s starting lineup against the Tigers.

He’ll get a breather against Tigers LHP Framber Valdez. Naylor is hitting .267/.330/.314 since July — with zero homers — and .260/.323/.355 on the season. He’s still giving you the occasional steal, but it’s been a rough year for Naylor so far.
- Rivers McCown

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Cal Raleigh

SEA Catcher #29
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Cal Raleigh is not in Seattle’s starting lineup for Thursday’s game against the Tigers.

Raleigh has been remarkably consistent this year, keeping his batting average between .160 and .170 since the start of May. Fantasy managers may welcome this off day, and definitely shouldn’t feel married to starting Raleigh down the stretch even if he is still giving the occasional dinger.
- Rivers McCown

Source: MLB Lineups

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Trey Yesavage

TOR Starting Pitcher #39
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Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Trey Yesavage (knee) is dealing with a meniscus injury and will visit a specialist.

Surgery “is always a possibility,” when a player sees a specialist, said Schneider per Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi. This is not a promising update for Yesavage’s chances of returning to the rotation any time soon. Given Toronto’s position in the standings, it would be surprising if they tried to push him to fight through this towards the end of the season if they had any doubt about it.
- Rivers McCown

Injury

Source: Shi Davidi

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Andrew Painter

PHI Starting Pitcher #24
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Andrew Painter (hamstring) said he’s “not too worried about” his injury and the Phillies won’t conduct imaging on it.

It sounds like Painter could have pushed forward on the hamstring had the Phillies wanted him to, but they opted to play it safe. Painter said he feels good about making his next start, which would figure to be against the Cardinals assuming nothing moves around.
- Rivers McCown

Injury

Source: The Athletic

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Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

TOR 1st Baseman #27
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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is not in the lineup for the Blue Jays against the Cubs on Thursday.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said a few days ago that Guerrero is “tight, tired” and that “it’s nothing major.” But this is his second day off in a row and it seems likely that Guerrero, who has underperformed this year, is laboring through something undisclosed. Fantasy managers should have alternate plans available over the weekend just in case.
- Rivers McCown

Source: MLB Lineups

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Jake Bauers

MIL 1st Baseman #9
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Jake Bauers (abdomen) remains out of the lineup for Thursday’s game against the Pirates.

Andrew Vaughn is starting for the third straight game and batting cleanup against RHP Braxton Ashcraft. Bauers is considered day-to-day per Brewers manager Pat Murphy but has only tested his injury pre-game so far. Perhaps he’ll pinch-hit today if he’s up to it.
- Rivers McCown

Injury

Source: MLB Lineups

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Esmerlyn Valdez

PIT Right Fielder #55
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Esmerlyn Valdez is not in Pittsburgh’s starting lineup against the Brewers on Thursday.

Since taking a scary-looking hit by pitch last Tuesday, Valdez is 1-for-23 in his last eight games. Ronny Simon is starting in right field against RHP Dustin May.
- Rivers McCown

Source: MLB Lineups

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Brandon Williamson

CIN Starting Pitcher #55
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Reds sent LHP Brandon Williamson on a rehab assignment to Triple-A Louisville.

He pitched for Chattanooga on Saturday and threw two innings, allowing one run while striking out three. He’s probably going to need a little runway to get stretched out as a starter, but it’s possible the Reds could turn that way later in August or September.
- Rivers McCown

Injury

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