SEATTLE -- Right-hander Casey Lawrence was granted his unconditional release by the Mariners on Thursday so that he can pursue an opportunity to pitch in Japan next season.
The move leaves 35 players on the Mariners' 40-man roster.
Lawrence posted a 7.33 ERA in 23 1/3 innings as a long reliever for Seattle last year, making 11 appearances in five different stints with the club. The 30-year-old was on the Opening Day roster for the Mariners, but wound up spending much of his season in Triple-A Tacoma, where he went 7-5 with a 3.31 ERA in 19 outings, including 16 starts.
The Pennsylvania native was claimed off waivers from the Blue Jays a month into the 2017 season and posted a 5.57 ERA in 42 innings of relief over 23 outings for Seattle that year. He is 3-3 with a 6.64 ERA in 38 games, including two starts, in his Major League career.