JUSTIN LAWRENCE NEWS

Notches fifth save Lawrence picked up a save against the Dodgers on Wednesday, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out three batters over 1.1 innings.

Impact Lawrence entered in the eighth inning with two outs, two on and Colorado clinging to a two-run lead. He allowed a Freddie Freeman RBI single and walked Will Smith to load the bases but got J.D. Martinez to strike out to end the threat. Lawrence then returned for the ninth and had a much smoother frame, retiring the side in order to secure a save. He appears to be settling in as Colorado's closer with three saves over the past six days.

JUNE 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up fourth save Lawrence allowed a run on three hits and a walk with no strikeouts in one inning but earned the save in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Angels.

Impact It wasn't pretty, but Lawrence induced a double play to erase one hit and got Luis Rengifo to groundout with runners on first and second. This was the first earned run charged to Lawrence since June 7. He's up to four saves, including a pair during this weekend series versus the Angels. For the season, he's at a 3.02 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 41:20 K:BB with seven holds and a 3-3 record through 41.2 innings. He appears to be set to continue seeing late-inning chances.

JUNE 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Secures third save Lawrence struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Friday's 7-4 win over the Angels.

Impact Lawrence has given up four runs (three earned) while striking out nine over 11.1 innings in June. He's served as a general high-leverage option rather than a full-time closer, though all three of his saves on the year have come this month. He's at a 2.88 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 41:19 K:BB while also picking up seven holds through 40.2 innings as one of the Rockies' busiest relievers.

JUNE 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Working high-leverage spots Lawrence allowed two walks across 1.2 scoreless innings Tuesday against the Red Sox.

Impact Lawrence entered the game in the seventh inning with runners on second and third and one out. He got out of that jam with a pair of groundouts and also pitched a fairly uneventful eighth inning. Lawrence appeared to be the team's primary closer after Pierce Johnson lost his grip on the role, though he's entered the last four games in high-leverage spots -- rather than traditional save situations -- and has also worked multiple innings on two occasions. That usage suggests manager Bud Black won't reserve Lawrence for the closer role, though he could still pick up occasional saves.

JUNE 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Wild in win Lawrence (3-3) allowed one run (none earned) on one hit and two walks to earn the win Sunday against the Padres.

Impact Lawrence entered the game in the top of the ninth inning with the score tied at 3-3. He wasn't hit hard but struggled with his command by allowing a run to score on a wild pitch. While he was rewarded with a victory, Lawrence has stumbled since taking over as the presumptive closer in Colorado as he's allowed four runs (three earned) across his last 5.1 frames while maintaining only a 4:3 K:BB.

JUNE 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Candidate for closer gig Rockies manager Bud Black said Friday that Lawrence is a candidate to take over the closer role, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Impact Lawrence has struggled in his last two outings, but the door is open for him to grab a larger share of the save opportunities in Colorado with Pierce Johnson officially getting demoted Friday to a lower-leverage spot on the team's bullpen depth chart. Black also mentioned Jake Bird as a consideration for ninth-inning duties.

JUNE 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Struggles in multi-inning role Lawrence (2-3) allowed two earned runs on two hits and two walks while striking out four across two innings to take the loss Wednesday against the Giants.

Impact Lawrence appeared to take over the closer job in Colorado after tallying consecutive saves in the team's series against Kansas City. However, he entered Wednesday's matchup in the seventh inning with the bases loaded and no outs. He got out of that jam impressively without allowing an earned run, but he then struggled in the eighth frame. Lawrence has been excellent all season, so one bad performance isn't likely to shake the team's confidence in him, but he may be headed for a high-leverage role with only a partial share of save chances.

JUNE 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Grabs another save Lawrence picked up the save Saturday against the Royals. He allowed one run on two hits while striking out one over 1.1 innings.

Impact Lawrence has capitalized on the struggles of Pierce Johnson, picking up saves on back-to-back nights in his first two opportunities of the campaign. However, Saturday's appearance came with some struggle, inheriting a three-run lead in the ninth and giving up a pair of hits and a run, but he ultimately secured the save. Though Lawrence appears to be making a run at the Rockies' closing role, he doesn't possess a ton of upside if he manages to win the job considering Colorado owns the third worst win percentage in the National League.

JUNE 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

First save of 2023 Lawrence recorded the final out of Friday's 7-2 win over the Royals to earn the save.

Impact Lawrence entered the game with the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth inning, though he managed to strike out Jackie Bradley to earn this first save of the season. He's allowed seven earned runs across his last 11.2 innings, but he still has a 2.90 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with a 34:12 K:BB on the campaign. Lawrence also leads the Rockies with seven holds, but he could enter into the closer picture as Pierce Johnson has a disastrous 6.85 ERA and 1.88 WHIP in the role to this point.

JUNE 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Rare struggles in loss Lawrence (1-2) allowed three runs (two earned) on two hits and one walk while striking out two across 1.1 innings to take the loss Friday against the Phillies.

Impact Lawrence has had an excellent start to the season, as he entered Saturday's game having made 10 consecutive scoreless appearances. He stumbled Friday, however, by allowing two doubles and a walk with two outs in the eighth inning. Lawrence has the skills -- he has a 2.18 ERA and 24:9 K:BB across 20.2 innings -- to be Colorado's closer, but he has been locked into a setup role early on in the campaign.

MAY 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Pitches ninth inning Lawrence threw a scoreless ninth inning without allowing a baserunner in Monday's 6-0 win over the Guardians.

Impact It wasn't a save situation, but Lawrence's usage was notable because Pierce Johnson -- the apparent closer in Colorado -- pitched in the eighth inning. Lawrence has gotten off to a strong start this season as he's allowed only three earned runs across 12 innings of work while maintaining a 14:4 K:BB. He's also tallied three holds, so has been trusted in high-leverage situations.

APRIL 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

This hurler's sweeper made him serious sleeper DENVER -- Rockies righty reliever Justin Lawrence is happy to be part of a trend that is leaving so many opposition at-bats in the old dustp...

APRIL 21, 2023 • MLB.COM

Sharp start to season Lawrence has allowed only one earned run while maintaining an 8:3 K:BB across his first 7.1 innings of the 2023 season.

Impact Lawrence has been trusted as a high-leverage reliever out of Colorado's bullpen, as he's entered in the seventh inning or later in all six of his appearances and the Rockies have had the lead on five of those occasions. Some caution is required due to Lawrence's home park, and he's given up three runs (one earned) across his last two games at Coors Field. However, with Daniel Bard (personal) still sidelined and Pierce Johnson experiencing some struggles on the mound, Lawrence could enter the picture for saves at some point this season.

APRIL 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gorman tiebreaking HR 2nd day in row, Cards top Rockies 7-4

Nolan Gorman hit a late tiebreaking home run for the second straight day, lifting the St. Louis Cardinals over the Colorado Rockies 7-4

APRIL 12, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Notches first big-league save Lawrence recorded a save against the Dodgers on Monday, allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth inning.

Impact Usual closer Daniel Bard pitched two innings while recording a save Sunday, so he was given the day off while Lawrence was summoned in the ninth inning after Colorado had taken a one-run lead. The righty Lawrence allowed a leadoff single to Trea Turner but got the next three batters to fly out to notch his first career major-league save. Lawrence has struggled with a 5.70 ERA and 1.55 WHIP with the Rockies this season, and he's likely not in the plans as a future closer for Colorado.

OCTOBER 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Gonsolin returns from IL for Dodgers in 2-1 loss to Rockies

All-Star pitcher Tony Gonsolin tossed two innings in his return from the injured list, an encouraging sign for the playoff-bound Los Angeles Dodgers in their 2-1 loss to the Colora...

OCTOBER 4, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jiménez, Abreu homer as surging White Sox beat Rockies 4-2

Eloy Jiménez hit a three-run homer and Miguel Cairo directed the Chicago White Sox to another victory, topping the Colorado Rockies 4-2

SEPTEMBER 14, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cron's 3-run HR lifts Rockies past Diamondbacks 4-1

C

SEPTEMBER 11, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Brewers' Lauer hit hard, exits with injury; Rockies roll 8-4

Eric Lauer exited in the third inning with left elbow tightness, and the Milwaukee Brewers hurt their fading playoff hopes with an 8-4 loss to the last-place Colorado Rockies

SEPTEMBER 7, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Caratini lifts Brewers over Rox, Counsell earns win No. 600

Victor Caratini hit a go-ahead three-run homer in the sixth inning for the Milwaukee Brewers to help Craig Counsell earn managerial win No. 600 in a 6-4 victory over the Colorado R...

SEPTEMBER 5, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

India chopper against 5-man infield lifts Reds over Rockies

Jonathan India drove in Spencer Steer from third base with a game-ending chopper against Colorado’s five-man infield, sending the Cincinnati Reds past the Rockies 3-2 on Friday nig...

SEPTEMBER 3, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cron, Ureña help Rockies hand Braves 3rd straight loss, 3-2

C

AUGUST 31, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Gallen dominates, Rivera 2 HRs, Rockies beat D-backs 2-0

Zac Gallen pitched two-hit ball over seven innings, Emmanuel Rivera went deep twice for his first career multi-homer game, and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Colorado Rockies 6-...

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Recalled by Rockies Lawrence was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday, Danielle Allentuck of The Denver Gazette reports.

Impact Lawrence has been in the minors since the end of July, but he'll rejoin the Rockies' bullpen after Alex Colome (forearm) was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday. Over 16 appearances in the majors this year, Lawrence has posted a 5.60 ERA and 1.87 WHIP in 17.2 innings.

AUGUST 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Dodgers top Rockies 5-4 behind Urías, move to 20-4 in July

Will Smith and Trayce Thompson each hit a two-run homer, Julio Urías pitched seven strong innings and the Los Angeles Dodgers continued their torrid July with a 5-4 victory over th...

JULY 30, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS