Pirates roster move welcomes back pitcher who hasn't appeared in game since April

The Pittsburgh Pirates are activating right-handed reliever Justin Lawrence off the 60-day injured list prior to Friday's series opener against the Washington Nationals, per a report from Alex Stumpf of MLB.com.

Lawrence, whom the Pirates claimed off waivers from the Colorado Rockies at the beginning of March, had been sidelined with elbow inflammation since late April. To clear space for him on the active roster, the Pirates optioned fellow right-handed reliever Colin Holderman to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Holderman struggled at the beginning of the season for the Pirates, posting a 9.64 ERA with a pair of blown saves through his first five appearances. He missed time due to multiple injuries and spent some time in Indianapolis before rejoining the Pirates on Aug. 15. During his most recent stint in Pittsburgh, Holderman made 10 appearances out of the bullpen and allowed five earned runs over 10 2/3 innings pitched.

On the season, Holderman has a 7.01 ERA through 25 2/3 innings pitched, 18 strikeouts to 16 walks, a .327 opposing batting average, and a 1.95 WHIP. In other words, the Pirates' bullpen won't be missing him.

Pirates welcome back righty reliever Justin Lawrence for first time since April

Lawrence's elbow injury unfortunately derailed what was a very promising start to the season for the 30-year-old righty. Following a rough 2024 campaign in Colorado that saw him post a 6.49 ERA, Lawrence opened the 2025 campaign with the Pirates by allowing just one run on five hits with 15 strikeouts in 11 1/3 innings for a sparkling 0.79 ERA. 

Lawrence's last appearance for the Pirates came on April 22 against the Los Angeles Angels, when he allowed two walks and no hits in 2/3 of an inning. He was placed on the 15-day IL two days later and transferred to the 60-day IL at the beginning of May.

After nearly four months, Lawrence began a minor league rehab assignment last month at Single-A Bradenton. After two scoreless innings at Single-A, his assignment was transferred to Triple-A Indianapolis, where his performance was ... decidedly worse. Lawrence posted an 11.81 ERA over 5 1/3 innings at Indianapolis before getting the call back to Pittsburgh.

The Pirates are banking on Lawrence returning to his early-season form in the big leagues. If he doesn't, it could be a long September for the Pittsburgh bullpen. At the very least, though, they can start getting him up to speed for 2026.