Blue Jays' Eric Lauer: Strikes out four in no-decision
Rotowire
Lauer did not factor into the decision in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Cardinals, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk with four strikeouts over 4.1 innings.
Lauer gave up two runs over the first two innings but settled in before exiting with a 5-2 lead. He threw 50 of 72 pitches for strikes and continues to provide quality innings for the Blue Jays, allowing more than two earned runs just once in nine appearances as both a starter and bulk reliever. On the year, the southpaw owns a 2.37 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 28:10 K:BB across 30.1 innings. Whether his next outing comes as a starter or out of the bullpen remains to be seen.
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Blue Jays' Eric Lauer: Set to be piggybacked by Turnbull
Rotowire
Lauer will start Wednesday's game against the Cardinals, though Spencer Turnbull is expected to work behind him as a bulk reliever, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Manager John Schneider said Monday that Turnbull is set to handle a multi-inning role out of the bullpen for Toronto after being recalled from Triple-A Buffalo, and Wednesday's contest represents a good opportunity for the Blue Jays to break him in for some extended work. Lauer has been the Blue Jays' nominal No. 5 starter since late April, making two starts and five bulk-relief appearances among his eight outings. The southpaw hasn't covered more than 4.2 innings in any of those appearances, and the Blue Jays are likely to continue to keep his workload in check to optimize his performance. Since Lauer is unlikely to reach five innings Wednesday, Turnbull is the more likely of the two pitchers to factor into the decision.
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Blue Jays' Eric Lauer: Collects second win of 2025
Rotowire
Lauer (2-1) earned the win in Friday's 6-4 victory over the Twins, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out two across 2.1 scoreless innings.
Lauer entered at the beginning of the bottom of the third inning after opener Paxton Schultz gave up three runs through the first two frames. The veteran southpaw was able to keep the Twins off the board during his extended relief appearance, and he got enough run support from the Toronto batters to come away with a win. The 30-year-old has a 2.08 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 24:9 K:BB across 26 innings this season. He's tentatively slated to make his next start or bulk-relief appearance against the Cardinals on the road next week.
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Blue Jays' Eric Lauer: Likely to follow opener
Rotowire
Lauer is expected to pitch in bulk relief behind opener Paxton Schultz on Friday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Lauer has tossed 7.1 scoreless frames in his past two outings and is set to follow the rookie Schultz for a second consecutive appearance. The veteran left-hander has pitched well as a fill-in rotation piece for Toronto so far this season with a 2.28 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 22:8 K:BB across 23.2 innings.
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Blue Jays' Eric Lauer: Strong work in bulk relief
Rotowire
Lauer didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Rangers after allowing no hits and two walks in 3.1 scoreless innings. He struck out four.
Piggybacking off opener Paxton Schultz, Lauer delivered his second outing of the season with at least three innings while yielding one hit or less. Lauer hasn't worked as a traditional starter for the Blue Jays, as he's made two starts and four relief appearances, but Toronto will likely need the veteran left-hander to help eat innings one way or another until Max Scherzer (thumb) re-enters the rotation. Lauer owns a strong 2.75 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 20:7 K:BB over 19.2 innings, but he'll have limited fantasy appeal if he's deployed as a bulk reliever his next time out versus a red-hot Phillies offense that's averaging 5.4 runs over their last 28 games.
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Blue Jays' Eric Lauer: Hit hard in Friday's loss
Rotowire
Lauer (1-1) took the loss Friday as the Blue Jays were downed 3-1 by the Rays, giving up three runs on six hits and two walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out two.
The southpaw gave up plenty of hard contact among his 85 pitches (50 strikes), as five of the six hits off him went for extra bases, including homers by Brandon Lowe in the third inning and Curtis Mead in the fourth. Lauer sports a 3.31 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB through 16.1 innings over five appearances (two starts) for Toronto, and he'll continue to fill in as the team's fifth starter next week on the road against the Rangers.
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Blue Jays' Eric Lauer: Drawing another start Friday
Rotowire
Lauer is slated to start Friday's game against the Rays in Tampa.
The veteran lefty will pick up a second straight start and his third straight turn through the Toronto rotation, as he had previously served as a bulk reliever behind Jose Urena in a May 11 win over Seattle. Lauer has made four appearances in total for Toronto this season and owns a 2.25 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 14:3 K:BB across 12 innings. He should be able to hold down a rotation spot until either Max Scherzer (thumb) is cleared to return from the 60-day injured list, or Spencer Turnbull is built up enough in the minors.
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Blue Jays' Eric Lauer: Fans five in short start
Rotowire
Lauer didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Tigers, allowing one run on three hits over three innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.
A solo shot by Spencer Torkelson in the second inning was the only blemish on Lauer's line, but the southpaw was lifted after just 40 pitches (31 strikes). He's been very effective in his four big-league appearances this season, posting a 2.25 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 14:3 K:BB through 12 innings, but the Blue Jays have been reluctant to let him go too deep into games. He'll continue to help fill out the rotation along with Jose Urena, and one or both pitchers could be deployed when the team next needs a fifth starter, a spot which could come up next weekend in Tampa Bay.
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Blue Jays' Eric Lauer: Picks up win in bulk relief
Rotowire
Lauer (1-0) allowed a hit and a walk while striking out five over 4.2 scoreless innings to earn the win Sunday over the Mariners.
Jose Urena started, but he covered two innings and was pulled after giving up a solo home run to Dylan Moore to lead off the third. Lauer then took over and threw over twice as many pitches as Urena (63 to 31). Lauer has made two bulk-relief appearances and one as a more traditional reliever. While Urena appears to officially have a spot in the rotation, Lauer has also been kept on a starter's schedule since his April 30 season debut. The situation is fluid for now, and it wouldn't be surprising to see Lauer eventually get a start since he has history in that role in his previous major-league stops with Milwaukee and San Diego.
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Blue Jays' Eric Lauer: Stays in bullpen
Rotowire
Lauer retired the only batter he faced Tuesday in Blue Jays' 8-3 loss to the Angels.
After working four innings as the primary pitcher behind opener Yariel Rodriguez in his Blue Jays debut April 30, Lauer was deployed in a more traditional relief role Tuesday. The southpaw recorded the final out of the eighth inning, while Jose Urena covered 4.1 innings as Toronto's newest fifth starter. Urena has already been named the Blue Jays' starter for Sunday's game in Seattle.
Blue Jays' Eric Lauer: No-decision in season debut
Rotowire
Lauer didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Red Sox after allowing two runs on three hits and two walks in four innings. He struck out four.
Lauer made his Blue Jays debut Wednesday, piggybacking off opener Yariel Rodriguez in the second inning. The left-hander landed just 45 of his 77 pitches for strikes, but he did induce 12 whiffs in the process. It remains to be seen what kind of role Lauer will play in Toronto going forward, whether it be as a traditional starter or long reliever, but he should see additional opportunities either way while Max Scherzer (thumb) is on the injured list. Lauer is tentatively set to face the Angels next week.
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Blue Jays' Eric Lauer: Handling bulk-relief role Wednesday
Rotowire
Lauer is slated to work in bulk relief behind opening pitcher Yariel Rodriguez in Wednesday's game against the Red Sox, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Though he won't be deployed in a traditional starting role while he makes his first big-league appearance since 2023, Lauer is built up to handle 90 pitches and should have a better chance at qualifying for a win while working out of the bullpen. With Max Scherzer's (thumb) return from the injured list not yet imminent, Lauer could end up taking over as the fifth member of the Toronto rotation if he performs well in his team debut. The 29-year-old southpaw supplied a 4.50 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 21:6 K:BB in 24 innings with Triple-A Buffalo prior to his call-up Wednesday.
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Blue Jays' Eric Lauer: Receives call-up
Rotowire
The Blue Jays selected Lauer's contract from Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday.
Lauer is on track to either start or serve as the primary pitcher out of bullpen Wednesday against the Red Sox in what will be his Toronto debut. The 29-year-old lefty finished last season in the Korea Baseball Organization before returning stateside and signing a minor-league deal with Toronto in December. Though he failed to win a spot on the Opening Day roster coming out of spring training, Lauer performed adequately over his first five starts of the season at Buffalo, logging a 4.50 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 21:6 K:BB across 24 innings. With a decent showing Wednesday, Lauer could end up sticking around as the fifth member of the Toronto rotation until Max Scherzer (thumb) is back from the injured list.
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Blue Jays' Eric Lauer: Set for promotion
Rotowire
The Blue Jays will call up Lauer from Triple-A Buffalo prior to Wednesday's game against the Red Sox, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Lauer is likely to either start Wednesday's contest or be used in a bulk-relief role. The left-hander has made five starts with Buffalo this season, putting up a 4.50 ERA and 21:6 K:BB over 24 innings. If Lauer does indeed pitch Wednesday, it will be his first appearance at the big-league level since 2023.
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Blue Jays' Eric Lauer: Gets NRI with Toronto
Rotowire
The Blue Jays signed Lauer to a minor-league contract on Friday that includes an invitation to spring training, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
Lauer split the 2024 season between the Triple-A level in the Pirates' and Astros' systems, where he had a combined 5.26 ERA in 75.1 innings, and the Korea Baseball Organization, where he held a 4.93 ERA in 34.2 frames. The 29-year-old lefty will likely begin the 2025 season as rotation depth at Triple-A Buffalo.
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Eric Lauer: Hits free agency
Rotowire
Lauer was released by the Astros on Thursday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Lauer was in the Triple-A Sugar Land rotation since signing with Houston on May 20. He struggled to a 5.09 ERA and 1.65 WHIP across 46 innings and has now has unsuccessful stints with both Houston's and Pittsburgh's Triple-A affiliates in 2024.
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Eric Lauer: Headed to KBO
Rotowire
Lauer agreed to a contract Thursday with the Kia Tigers of the Korea Baseball Organization, Daniel Kim of MBC Sports+ reports.
Lauer was released by the Astros on Thursday, but he quickly found a new opportunity. He'll head to Korea for the remainder of the 2024 season before becoming a free agent, leaving the door open for him to return to affiliated ball in 2025.
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Astros' Eric Lauer: Lands with Houston
Rotowire
Lauer signed a minor-league contract with the Astros on Monday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
The veteran left-hander opted out of his minor-league pact with the Pirates last week and didn't take long to latch on with a new organization. Lauer had a 5.52 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 37:11 K:BB across 29.1 innings at Triple-A Indianapolis, and he may need to post better results for Houston's Triple-A affiliate in Sugar Land in order to receive a look in the big leagues. His contract includes opt-outs for July 1 and August 1 if he's not on the major-league roster.
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Eric Lauer: Released by Pittsburgh
Rotowire
The Pirates released Lauer on Thursday, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Lauer had an opt-out clause in his minor-league contract with Pittsburgh and has chosen to exercise it. The left-hander posted a 5.56 ERA over 29.1 innings during his time with Triple-A Indianapolis, but his 37:11 K:BB was more promising. Lauer, 28, shouldn't have trouble landing another gig elsewhere, although it's possible he'll have to accept another minor-league deal.
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Player Bio
HT/WT: 6-3, 209 lbs
Birthplace: Elyria, OH
Age: 30
School: Kent State
Experience: 6
Bats/Throws: R, L
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