The Washington Nationals have moved on from Justin Lawrence, designating the former Minnesota Twins right-hander for assignment, according to his transactions log on MLB.com. It’s the third time Lawrence has been DFA’d this season.
That alone tells the story pretty well. Lawrence opened the year with the Pittsburgh Pirates, who cut ties with him on May 29 after he put up a 5.32 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP with 25 strikeouts in 22 innings in 2026. Minnesota then picked him up from Pittsburgh for cash four days later, and that gamble went sideways fast.
His time with the Twins was rough from the start and never really recovered. Minnesota designated him for assignment on June 21 after he posted an 18.00 ERA and a 3.17 WHIP with 12 strikeouts in six innings over seven appearances. In that stretch, he allowed a .357 opponent batting average, walked nine and hit two batters.
The Twins’ bullpen had been one of the least reliable units in the league for most of the season, though it has looked better lately, and even with that context the team decided Lawrence wasn’t worth keeping around. Washington claimed him off waivers three days after Minnesota cut him loose, and the results in D.C. were better, but still not good enough to change the bigger picture. With the Nationals, Lawrence gave up three earned runs on seven hits and seven walks in 6 1/3 innings.
For Minnesota, the idea of another reunion doesn’t make much sense. The Twins do need relief help, but Lawrence already had his shot, and there are internal arms who look like better uses of a roster spot.
There’s also the recent turnaround to consider. After finishing last in ERA at 6.94 last month, Minnesota’s bullpen has steadied itself in July.
This month, the group ranks 10th among MLB’s 30 teams with a 3.00 ERA. Before last night’s rough loss to the Cleveland Guardians, Twins relievers were third in ERA at 2.25, sixth in opponent batting average at .200 and seventh in strikeout rate at 23.4% for July.
And with Cole Sands, Garret Acton, Marco Raya and Julian Merryweather all on rehab assignments, the Twins have other bullpen options in the pipeline. If Minnesota is going to make a move, a more established high-leverage arm would make far more sense than taking another swing on Lawrence.
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