The Nationals have claimed right-hander Justin Lawrence off waivers from the Twins after he was designated for assignment. In a corresponding roster move, they designated Jhancarlos Lara for assignment. Lawrence, who is 31, has promising fastball velocity but struggles with consistency, shown by a career ERA of 5.37. While he had a standout performance with the Pirates in 2025, injuries and poor performance in 2026 led to his recent designation. The Nationals hope to harness his potential as he requires an active roster spot.

By the Numbers
  • Lawrence has allowed 8.04 earned runs in 28 innings this season.
  • A whopping 27.6% of fly balls he allowed have resulted in home runs.
Yes, But

Despite his high ERA, Lawrence's advanced metrics, such as a 4.21 SIERA, suggest he could perform better with favorable conditions. His high walk rate of 14.5% is concerning, yet he strikes out 25.5% of opponents, indicating a potential untapped upside.

State of Play
  • Lawrence is out of options, necessitating a spot on the active roster.
  • The Nationals are making changes to strengthen their pitching staff amidst struggles this season.
What's Next

Lawrence will report to the Nationals and aim to find stability in a new environment. If he can lower his walk rate and improve his home run prevention, he may become a valuable asset for the remainder of the season.

Bottom Line

The Nationals are taking a calculated risk on Justin Lawrence, banking on his potential to adapt and perform effectively outside of his previous struggles. Improvement is crucial, as his career trajectory may hinge on this opportunity.