DETROIT, Mich. – Seattle Mariners’ Jerry Dipoto announced today the following roster move: Casey Lawrence, RHP, optioned to AAA Tacoma (post-game Saturday).
Dan Altavilla, who was returned from his rehab assignment at AA Arkansas and activated prior to Game #2 last night (as the “26th man”) will remain with the club.
Lawrence, 30, was recalled to Seattle on May 1. He’s appeared in 2 games since his recall, allowing 4 earned runs in 3.2 innings pitched (a 9.82 ERA). Overall this season, he is 0-0, 10.13 (9 ER, 8.0 IP) in 4 games with Seattle spread over 2 stints.
Prior to his recall, he made 3 appearances with the Rainiers after being optioned to AAA Tacoma on April 14. He went 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA (3 ER, 11.0 IP) with 11 strikeouts and 1 walk in 3 games, including 2 starts. Prior to being optioned to Tacoma, Lawrence made 2 relief appearances with the Mariners, posting a 10.38 ERA (5 ER, 4.1 IP) with 3 strikeouts and 2 walks. The 6-foot, 175-pound right-hander was named to his first career Opening Day roster after recording a 1.80 ERA (3 ER, 15.0 IP) with 17 strikeouts and 2 walks in 6 games (2 starts) with Seattle during Spring Training.
In 2017, Lawrence spent most of the season with Seattle, where he went 2-0 with a 5.57 ERA (26 ER, 42.0 IP) with 45 strikeouts and 14 walks in 23 relief appearances. He was claimed off waivers by the Mariners from Toronto on May 11. The native of McSherrytown, PA, made his Major League debut with the Blue Jays on April 8, 2017 at Tampa Bay. It was his first of 4 appearances (2 starts) with Toronto, where he was 0-3 with an 8.78 ERA (13 ER, 13.1 IP) with 7 strikeouts and 11 walks. He combined for a record of 3-4 with a 3.61 ERA (27 ER, 67.1 IP) with 48 strikeouts and 11 walks in 14 games (10 starts) at the triple-A level with Buffalo (3 GS) and Tacoma (11 G, 7 GS).
In parts of 2 Major League seasons with the Blue Jays (2017) and Mariners (2017-c), he is 2-3 with a 6.64 ERA (44 ER, 59.2 IP) with 55 strikeouts and 27 walks in 29 games (2 starts). Lawrence was originally signed by Toronto as a non-drafted free agent on June 15, 2010.
