Justin Lawrence’s long road to recovery is finally over.
The Pittsburgh Pirates ended the rehabilitation assignment of the right-handed reliever, out since late April with a right elbow injury, and reinstated him from the 60-day injured list before Friday’s game at the Washington Nationals.
Lawrence was 1-0 with an 0.79 ERA, 15 strikeouts against six walks and a .139 batting average against in 11 appearances for the Pirates this season, including 10 consecutive scoreless outings, before going on the 15-day IL with right elbow inflmmation on April 24. He was transferred to the 60-day IL on May 3.
The 30-year-old Lawrence, who was claimed off waivers from the Colorado Rockies on March 3, allowed his lone run in his Pirates debut March 29 at Miami. Lawrence made eight appearances during his rehab assignment, split between Low-A Bradenton and Indianapolis, and had 13 strikeouts and a .160 batting average against.
To make room on the active roster, the Pirates optioned righty reliever Colin Holderman to Triple-A Indianapolis. Holderman is 0-2 with a 7.01 ERA, 1.95 WHIP, 18 strikeouts against 16 walks and a .327 BAA in 24 appearances for the Pirates this season.
