Lawson did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[15] He additionally underwent Tommy John surgery in March of the same year.[16] On November 20, 2020, the Padres added Lawson to their 40-man roster in order to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.[17]
Lawson missed a large portion of the 2021 season recovering from Tommy John, and pitched only 6+2⁄3 minor league innings, allowing 10 runs. He was out righted off of the 40-man roster following the season on November 19, 2021.[18] He began the 2022 season with the Double–A San Antonio Missions, compiling a 4–6 record and 5.63 ERA with 55 strikeouts across 17 starts. Lawson announced his retirement from professional baseball on August 13, 2022.[19]
On November 14, 2023, Lawson came out of retirement and re–joined the Padres organization.[20] He returned to Double-A San Antonio for the 2024 season, but struggled to an 8.10 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 13+1⁄3 innings pitched across 13 relief outings. Lawson elected free agency following the season on November 4, 2024.[21]