The Seattle Mariners have made a surprising but intriguing move by bringing aboard one of the oldest free agents still available in professional baseball. According to reporting from Aram Leighton of Just Baseball, Seattle has agreed to a deal with veteran right-hander Casey Lawrence, a player whose career story embodies the classic definition of a baseball journeyman. At 38 years old, Lawrence stands out not only because of his age, but also because of the persistence and determination that have kept him in the game far longer than anyone might have expected when he first entered professional baseball.
Lawrence’s baseball journey has never been straightforward or glamorous. Unlike many players who eventually reach a major-league mound, he did not come from a large, nationally recognized baseball powerhouse in college. Instead, he emerged from Albright College, a small private school located in Reading, Pennsylvania. Albright is far from a factory for MLB talent; in fact, few players from the program have ever reached the highest levels of the sport. Lawrence wasn’t just under the radar he was completely unheralded. He entered pro baseball as an undrafted free agent, a path that often requires players to battle through every rung of the minor league ladder simply for a chance to be noticed. For most undrafted players, the dream fades quickly. For Lawrence, however, sheer persistence and a deep love for the game kept him moving forward year after year.
That perseverance eventually paid off in 2017, when Lawrence finally made his long-awaited major-league debut with the Toronto Blue Jays. For a player who had fought for so long just to earn an opportunity, stepping onto a big-league mound for the first time marked a significant milestone. That season, he appeared in four games for Toronto, giving the organization a glimpse of the steady, workmanlike approach that had allowed him to survive the grind of professional baseball’s lower levels for so many years. Although his early MLB outings did not transform him into a permanent fixture on a major-league roster, they were enough to keep him in the conversation as a reliable depth option a pitcher teams could call upon when they needed innings, stability, or simply a veteran presence capable of handling difficult situations.
Later that same 2017 season, Lawrence found himself heading west to join the Seattle Mariners, the team with which he would form one of the most enduring connections of his career. In Seattle, he threw 23 more games, providing valuable innings during a year when the Mariners’ pitching staff was often stretched thin. Though not a star, Lawrence earned respect for his willingness to take the ball under any circumstances and do his job, no matter how challenging the situation. Players like him don’t typically make headlines, but every clubhouse appreciates someone who is ready to compete each time he’s called upon.
In 2018, he again appeared in the Mariners’ big-league plans, pitching in 11 additional games. These appearances further solidified the perception that Lawrence was exactly the type of pitcher organizations value for depth steady, professional, and capable of bridging gaps when rotations or bullpens inevitably fall victim to injuries, fatigue, or inconsistency. Even though his major-league numbers were never dominant, his reliability and experience made him a meaningful asset.
After 2018, Lawrence’s path back to the big leagues was anything but direct. Like many pitchers who live on the fringe between Triple-A and MLB, he spent several years working to refine his craft and stay ready for any call that might come. That call finally arrived again in 2022, when the Toronto Blue Jays brought him back to the major-league level. He appeared in six more MLB games that season, proving once more that he was still capable of contributing when given the opportunity.
Then, in 2023, Lawrence pitched in 15 games for the St. Louis Cardinals. With St. Louis, he continued to demonstrate the same qualities that had carried him through his entire career: consistency, preparedness, and a strong work ethic. Although his overall major-league statistics particularly his career ERA of 6.42 across 65 MLB games do not reflect dominance, they do reflect something equally notable: a pitcher trusted enough by multiple franchises to take the mound again and again at the sport’s highest level.
The following year, 2024, presented another challenge. Lawrence did not make it back to the majors that season, an outcome that might have signaled the end of the line for many players his age. At nearly 40, with years of service in both the majors and minors, few would have blamed him for deciding that it was time to hang up his cleats. But Casey Lawrence is not built like most players. His entire career has been about battling the odds, outlasting doubt, and continuing to show up even when the path forward seems uncertain.
His persistence led him back to the major leagues once again in 2025, one more time with the Seattle Mariners a franchise that clearly values what he brings to the organization both on the field and in the clubhouse. That season, he pitched in five games for Seattle, and impressively, he delivered a 3.00 ERA, showing that even at 38, he could still be effective at the highest level. Later in 2025, he also made a brief appearance with the Blue Jays, though that outing did not go as well, serving as a reminder of the highs and lows that define the career of a journeyman pitcher. One night you can be sharp and efficient; the next, a single rough outing can overshadow everything else.
Still, if there is one thing Lawrence understands better than most, it is that baseball is a game of constant adjustments, and no role is ever guaranteed. Players in his position must always be prepared to move from one team to another, to shift from the majors back to the minors, or to wait for the next chance with no promise that it will arrive. Yet despite those challenges, he has never let uncertainty derail him. His ability to remain focused, adaptable, and determined has allowed him to continue doing what he loves at an age when many players have long since retired.
The Mariners’ decision to sign him again speaks volumes about how organizations view him. For a team like Seattle, having a veteran arm with extensive professional experience someone who knows how to manage difficult situations and who brings stability to a pitching staff is invaluable. Depth is a crucial part of any team’s success, and Lawrence provides exactly that. He’s the type of pitcher who can mentor younger teammates, absorb innings when needed, and approach every assignment with a professionalism that sets a positive example.
What’s perhaps most admirable about Lawrence’s long journey is the mental toughness it requires. Baseball careers are fragile, especially for players who are not top prospects or elite stars. The margins are razor-thin, and the pressure to perform can be immense. For an undrafted player from a small college to carve out a multi-year major-league career one that has included stints with multiple teams, countless bus rides in the minors, and numerous moments of uncertainty is a testament to his dedication. Many players with more natural talent have faded from the game far sooner. Lawrence’s longevity is rooted in resilience, not raw ability alone.
As he rejoins the Mariners, Lawrence undoubtedly understands that nothing is guaranteed. Each appearance could be his final one, and every season could be his last. Yet that hasn’t slowed him down. If anything, it has made his continued presence in professional baseball even more impressive. He remains committed to showing up, doing the work, and contributing however he can, whether that means pitching in the big leagues, mentoring younger arms, or providing reliable innings in the minors while waiting for another opportunity.
In an era where the game is dominated by high-velocity arms, advanced analytics, and young phenoms who burst onto the scene with immediate fanfare, Casey Lawrence represents something refreshingly different a reminder that success in baseball can take many forms. Not every player becomes a star. Not every career follows a linear path. Some are built on perseverance, patience, and the willingness to keep pushing forward no matter how many obstacles appear.
Lawrence’s story is not finished yet. With the Mariners bringing him back into the fold, he continues to defy expectations and extend a career that has already lasted far longer than anyone might have predicted. Whether he appears in a handful of games, carves out a longer role, or simply provides veteran depth, he remains a testament to what can be achieved through determination and a love for the game. For Casey Lawrence, the journey is still ongoing and as he has shown time and again, he isn’t done writing his baseball story.
