The Philadelphia Phillies have added another experienced arm to their pitching depth as they navigate the final stretch of the regular season.
With uncertainty continuing to surround the pitching staff, Philadelphia has turned to a veteran with extensive minor league experience and a strong connection to Pennsylvania.
The move also comes shortly after the Phillies lost another depth option to a season-ending injury.
The Phillies signed right-hander Casey Lawrence to a minor league contract Friday, according to MLB’s transaction tracker.
Lawrence, a Pennsylvania native who attended Albright College in Reading, will report to Triple-A Lehigh Valley and continue his professional career relatively close to home.
The 38-year-old has spent parts of five major league seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners and St. Louis Cardinals, making 65 career appearances.
He originally reached the majors in 2017 and most recently pitched for Seattle and Toronto last season, throwing 17⅔ innings.
Lawrence has also accumulated nearly 1,000 innings at the Triple-A level over 11 seasons and spent the 2019 season pitching professionally in Japan.
His arrival comes after the Phillies lost veteran left-hander Kolby Allard for the remainder of the season.
Allard, who returned to the organization on a minor league deal earlier this year, was placed on the full-season injured list at Triple-A Lehigh Valley after suffering a strained left adductor.
Lawrence is not expected to immediately join Philadelphia’s major league roster, but his versatility could make him a valuable depth option.
He works with a five-pitch arsenal and typically operates in the upper 80s, giving the Phillies an experienced pitcher capable of handling innings at Triple-A while remaining available if the big-league club suffers additional injuries or encounters workload concerns.
With the postseason race entering its decisive stage, Philadelphia is clearly looking to strengthen its pitching depth. Lawrence provides the organization with another veteran arm who could potentially be called upon later in the season if the Phillies need reinforcements.
