In July 1930, the Cleveland Indians purchased Lawson from Terre Haute. He made his Major League Baseball debut on August 3, 1930, pitching 3-1/3 innings against the St. Louis Browns and allowing one earned run. On August 13, he started his first major league game, a 7–2 loss to the Philadelphia Athletics. Lawson appeared in seven games, four as a starter, for the 1930 Indians and compiled a 1–2 record with a 6.15 ERA. Lawson remained with the Indians during their 1931 season, appearing in 17 games (three as a starter) and compiling a 0–2 record and 7.60 ERA.