Blue Jays never wanted Eric Lauer like this anyway
This has been painful for Toronto.
Blue Jays never wanted Eric Lauer like this anyway originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The Toronto Blue Jays used an opener in front of Eric Lauer again on Sunday, and while Lauer has expressed his displeasure with that, he also hasn't pitched his way into a bigger role.
After a strong 2025, Lauer has been rough in 2026, and the Blue Jays likely can't wait for their roster to get healthy so they don't have to rely on him as much. His ERA for the season is 6. 69, and it's not fluky.
Lauer is getting hit around almost every time he takes the mound. The reality, as Blue Jays analyst @Damon98_ explains in a post on X, is that Toronto expected this and tried to plan against it: The Toronto Blue Jays took Eric Lauer to arbitration over $1. 1 million.
They also signed a bunch of starters, including 42 year old Max Scherzer to ensure Lauer didn't find his way into the rotation. They've now used openers for him twice. They told you what they think of him.