Rockies manager Bud Black said Friday that Lawrence is a candidate to take over the closer role, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lawrence has struggled in his last two outings, but the door is open for him to grab a larger share of the save opportunities in Colorado with Pierce Johnson out as closer. Black also mentioned Jake Bird as a consideration for ninth-inning duties.

Lawrence (2-3) allowed two earned runs on two hits and two walks while striking out four across two innings to take the loss Wednesday against the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Lawrence appeared to take over the closer job in Colorado after tallying consecutive saves in the team's series against Kansas City. However, he entered Wednesday's matchup in the seventh inning with the bases loaded and no outs. He got out of that jam impressively without allowing an earned run, but he then struggled in the eighth frame. Lawrence has been excellent all season, so one bad performance isn't likely to shake the team's confidence in him, but he may be headed for a high-leverage role with only a partial share of save chances.

Lawrence picked up the save Saturday against the Royals. He allowed one run on two hits while striking out one over 1.1 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Lawrence has capitalized on the struggles of Pierce Johnson, picking up saves on back-to-back nights in his first two opportunities of the campaign. However, Saturday's appearance came with some struggle, as he inherited a three-run lead in the ninth and gave up a pair of hits and a run, but he ultimately secured the save. Though Lawrence appears to be making a run at the Rockies' closing role, he doesn't possess a ton of upside if he manages to win the job considering Colorado owns the third worst win percentage in the National League.

Lawrence recorded the final out of Friday's 7-2 win over the Royals to earn the save.

EDGE Analysis

Lawrence entered the game with the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth inning, though he managed to strike out Jackie Bradley to earn this first save of the season. He's allowed seven earned runs across his last 11.2 innings, but he still has a 2.90 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with a 34:12 K:BB on the campaign. Lawrence also leads the Rockies with seven holds, but he could enter into the closer picture as Pierce Johnson has a disastrous 6.85 ERA and 1.88 WHIP in the role to this point.

Lawrence (1-2) allowed three runs (two earned) on two hits and one walk while striking out two across 1.1 innings to take the loss Friday against the Phillies.

EDGE Analysis

Lawrence has had an excellent start to the season, as he entered Saturday's game having made 10 consecutive scoreless appearances. He stumbled Friday, however, by allowing two doubles and a walk with two outs in the eighth inning. Lawrence has the skills -- he has a 2.18 ERA and 24:9 K:BB across 20.2 innings -- to be Colorado's closer, but he has been locked into a setup role early on in the campaign.

Lawrence threw a scoreless ninth inning without allowing a baserunner in Monday's 6-0 win over the Guardians.

EDGE Analysis

It wasn't a save situation, but Lawrence's usage was notable because Pierce Johnson -- the apparent closer in Colorado -- pitched in the eighth inning. Lawrence has gotten off to a strong start this season as he's allowed only three earned runs across 12 innings of work while maintaining a 14:4 K:BB. He's also tallied three holds, so has been trusted in high-leverage situations.

Lawrence has allowed only one earned run while maintaining an 8:3 K:BB across his first 7.1 innings of the 2023 season.

EDGE Analysis

Lawrence has been trusted as a high-leverage reliever out of Colorado's bullpen, as he's entered in the seventh inning or later in all six of his appearances and the Rockies have had the lead on five of those occasions. Some caution is required due to Lawrence's home park, and he's given up three runs (one earned) across his last two games at Coors Field. However, with Daniel Bard (personal) still sidelined and Pierce Johnson experiencing some struggles on the mound, Lawrence could enter the picture for saves at some point this season.

Lawrence recorded a save against the Dodgers on Monday, allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth inning.

EDGE Analysis

Usual closer Daniel Bard pitched two innings while recording a save Sunday, so he was given the day off while Lawrence was summoned in the ninth inning after Colorado had taken a one-run lead. The righty Lawrence allowed a leadoff single to Trea Turner but got the next three batters to fly out to notch his first career major-league save. Lawrence has struggled with a 5.70 ERA and 1.55 WHIP with the Rockies this season, and he's likely not in the plans as a future closer for Colorado.

Lawrence was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday, Danielle Allentuck of The Denver Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lawrence has been in the minors since the end of July, but he'll rejoin the Rockies' bullpen after Alex Colome (forearm) was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday. Over 16 appearances in the majors this year, Lawrence has posted a 5.60 ERA and 1.87 WHIP in 17.2 innings.

Lawrence was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Lawrence was called up by the Rockies on Tuesday, but he'll head back to the minors after he gave up two runs on three hits and a walk while striking out three against the Dodgers on Thursday. Ryan Feltner was recalled to take his place in the bullpen.