MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins are taking a flyer on a high-octane arm, acquiring right-handed reliever Justin Lawrence from the Pirates on Monday night in exchange for cash considerations.
Lawrence, 31, is a hard thrower with a classic reliever’s arsenal: two fastballs that both average over 95 miles per hour, and a swing-and-miss sweeper. He joins a bullpen that is mostly short on power arms, though the recent addition of Yoendrys Gómez has begun changing that.
Lawrence has struggled to turn his velocity into consistent performance in the Major Leagues, with a 5.05 ERA in 222 career appearances, but at his best, he has been very good. He recorded 11 saves for the Rockies in 2023 and posted a 0.51 ERA in limited duty for Pittsburgh last year.
The veteran Lawrence joins a bullpen that has been in constant flux this year, with 11 relievers who have recorded a save and 18 who have appeared in a game. The Twins did not announce a corresponding move Monday, but they will do so prior to Tuesday’s game against the White Sox.
Lawrence appeared in 23 games for the Pirates this season, going 0-2 with a 5.32 ERA (22 innings), with 20 runs (13 earned) allowed, 12 walks and 25 strikeouts with two holds and a .244 opponents' batting average. He was designated for assignment by Pittsburgh on Friday.