ATLANTA -- Brian Lawrence has spent most of the past two years looking to prove he can still pitch at the Major League level. The Braves are going to at least give him a chance to show he deserves another opportunity.

The Braves have purchased Lawrence's contract from the Camden Riversharks of the Independent Atlantic League. General manager Frank Wren said that the 32-year-old right-hander will report to Triple-A Richmond.

Lawrence missed the 2006 season while recovering from right shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum. After returning last year, he went 8-3 with a 3.81 ERA in 13 starts for Triple-A New Orleans. His success earned him six starts with the Mets, during which he went 1-2 with a 6.83 ERA.

The Braves are looking to provide as many options as possible for their starting rotation, and Lawrence at least could be a good gamble. His finest Major League season came in 2004, when he went 15-14 with a 4.12 ERA in 34 starts with the Padres. In 33 starts the following year, he went 7-15 with a 4.83 ERA.

Lawrence, who is 50-63 in 168 career appearances, signed a Minor League contract with the Royals in January and was released on March 27.