Panamanian pitcher Justin Lawrence acquired by Minnesota Twins

Panamanian pitcher Justin Lawrence is on the move again, this time heading to the Minnesota Twins. The Twins announced Monday they acquired Lawrence from the Pittsburgh Pirates for cash considerations. The Pirates had designated Lawrence for assignment on Friday, May 29, to make room on their roster for pitcher Jared Jones.

Lawrence's 2026 season with the Pirates was statistically modest. He posted a record of two losses with no wins and an earned run average of 5.32 across 23 appearances. In those games, he allowed 22 hits, struck out 25 batters, and issued 12 walks in 22 innings pitched.

This move marks another chapter for Lawrence, who previously played for the Colorado Rockies. He was released by the Rockies during spring training last year. In the 2025 season, he made 17 starts, achieving a 0.51 ERA with one win and no losses. However, an inflammation in his right elbow sidelined him for most of that season.

The term "cash considerations" in Major League Baseball signifies a transaction where a team trades a player in exchange for a sum of money rather than other players or prospects. It's essentially a purchase of the player's rights. Such moves are common for strategic and financial reasons, including freeing up roster space, adjusting budgets for teams with lower payrolls, or finalizing future deals.