Colorado Rockies Place Former Closer on Waivers

During almost three months during the summer of 2023, Panamanian right-hander Justin Lawrence was the closer for the Colorado Rockies, locking down 11 saves. His 2024 season didn't go so well, however, as he posted a 6.49 ERA and a brutal 45:33 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Those struggles have apparently run into this spring, and the Rockies have now placed him on irrevocable waivers.

Rockies place Justin Lawrence on waivers. Lawrence was closer part of 2023, saving 11 games.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 1, 2025

Lawrence was roughed up again on Friday, surrendering a hit and two runs in his one inning of work. In his three spring innings, he has a 9.00 ERA with a 2.33 WHIP. His 1.78 WHIP during the 2024 season wasn't much better.

His run as the Colorado closer in 2023 came to an end in September, when he blew five out of eight save chances over a four-week run through August.

He was given the benefit of the doubt a year ago, and did start 2024 as their closer, even picking up a couple of saves near the end of April, before the blown saves and losses took hold in May. He got only one more save opportunity through the final four months of the season.

Earlier at spring training this month, Lawrence said his sweeper “put me on the map in ‘23, and in ‘24 it was kind of useless.” That left him wondering, "Which one was the fluke year? Was ‘23 the good fluke year or was ‘24 the bad fluke year? Let’s make ‘24 the bad fluke year and show that I deserve to be here and play this game for a lot longer.”

Unfortunately, it might not be with the Rockies. However, his placement on waivers is not a DFA, which means he'll continue to be in Rockies camp until/when/if a team puts in a claim on him.