Lauer is expected to start next Wednesday's game against Minnesota, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.
With Shane Bieber making his Toronto debut Friday, manager John Schneider indicated Lauer would be moving to a relief role. That's still somewhat the case -- Schneider said Saturday that Lauer will still be available for a brief outing of the bullpen this weekend, per Mae -- but the team still plans to start the lefty at least one more time Wednesday in order to give Bieber extra rest. It's not yet clear if Lauer will handle a full workload in his start next week, or if Toronto will opt for a six-man rotation for any additional amount of time as Bieber gets back into a groove following Tommy John surgery.
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Blue Jays' Eric Lauer: Shifting to relief for now
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Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Wednesday that Lauer will be available out of the bullpen for this weekend's series in Miami, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Shane Bieber (elbow) is poised to make his Blue Jays debut Friday, which means Lauer will be booted out of the rotation, despite logging a 2.76 ERA and 87:25 K:BB over 88 innings covering 20 appearances (14 starts). Schneider added that it's "not a [permanent] move to the bullpen" for Lauer, so the left-hander could still make some starts for Toronto down the stretch.
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Blue Jays' Eric Lauer: Chased early versus Dodgers
Rotowire
Lauer allowed three runs on six hits and four walks while striking out four over three innings in a no-decision versus the Dodgers on Sunday.
Lauer didn't have much command, throwing just 42 of 71 pitches for strikes. He served up solo home runs to Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman in the first inning and walked in a run in the third before his exit. Prior to Sunday, Lauer had pitched pretty well, posting a 2.57 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 34:4 K:BB over his previous six outings. His struggles in this start can be chalked up to a tough opponent -- he's earned the benefit of the doubt. On the year, Lauer has a 2.82 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 83:22 K:BB through 83 innings over 19 appearances (13 starts). The left-hander is projected to make his next start at home versus the Rangers.
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Blue Jays' Eric Lauer: Cruises behind generous run support
Rotowire
Lauer (7-2) earned the win over Colorado on Monday, allowing one run on seven hits and one walk while striking out four batters over six innings.
Toronto's offense put up nine runs through three innings, taking the stress off Lauer as he cruised through six one-run frames. The left-hander threw 64 of 97 pitches for strikes and notched 13 whiffs while finishing with his fourth quality start over his past six outings. Lauer hasn't given up more than two runs in any start and has posted a 2.57 ERA with a superb 34:4 K:BB across 35 frames over that six-game span. He's next lined up for a road start against the Dodgers this weekend.
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Blue Jays' Eric Lauer: Stingy again in no-decision
Rotowire
Lauer came away with a no-decision in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Orioles, giving up two runs on five hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out four.
The southpaw fired 53 of 77 pitches for strikes, and the only damage off him came in the fourth inning, when a one-out triple by Ryan O'Hearn drove in one run before a groundout brought him home. Lauer allowed two runs or fewer in all five of his July outings, posting a 2.79 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 30:3 K:BB through 29 innings on the month, but there's a chance he'll lose his rotation spot if the Blue Jays bring in a bigger-name starting pitcher at the trade deadline. If Lauer keeps his spot, he lines up to make his next start on the road early next week in Colorado.
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Blue Jays' Eric Lauer: Twirls gem in win
Rotowire
Lauer (6-2) picked up the win after throwing eight innings, allowing one run on five hits and no walks while striking out six, during Thursday's 11-4 win over the Tigers.
Facing one of the league's top offenses, Lauer delivered his best start of the season. His longest start prior to Thursday was six innings, but he bested that by two frames and allowed just one run in the process. Since the 30-year-old has been stretched back out to being a starter, he's been one of the Blue Jays more reliable options, not allowing more than three runs in an appearance all season. His ERA sits at 2.61 with 71 strikeouts over 69 innings, with his next appearance scheduled to be on the road at Baltimore.
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Blue Jays' Eric Lauer: Fans seven in fifth win
Rotowire
Lauer (5-2) picked up the win in Saturday's 6-3 victory over the Giants, allowing two runs on two hits over six innings. He struck out seven without walking a batter.
The southpaw continues to impress at the back of the Blue Jays' rotation. Lauer produced his second quality start of the season on 81 pitches (58 strikes), and he's given up more than two runs in only two of 15 appearances. He'll take a 2.80 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 65:16 K:BB through 61 innings into his next start, which is scheduled to come on the road next week in Detroit.
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Blue Jays' Eric Lauer: Falls to White Sox
Rotowire
Lauer (4-2) took the loss Wednesday against the White Sox, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk over four innings. He struck out seven.
Lauer was solid Wednesday, holding Chicago scoreless through his first three innings while allowing just one hit. However, the left-hander would surrender a pair of runs on three hits in the fourth, which proved to be enough to stick him with the loss in a 2-1 defeat. It's been an impressive year overall for Lauer, who joined Toronto's rotation in June when Bowden Francis (shoulder) landed on the IL -- he's yet to allow more than three runs in an outing. Lauer sports a 2.78 ERA with a 1.04 WHIP and 58:16 K:BB across 55 innings this season.
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Blue Jays' Eric Lauer: Coughs up three runs
Rotowire
Lauer did not factor in the decision during Sunday's win over Boston. He allowed three runs on seven hits over 4.1 innings while striking out four.
Lauer coughed up a pair of runs in the second inning before Boston plated one more in the fifth. He had given up four runs over his previous 24.1 innings (1.48 ERA) entering Sunday's outing. Lauer went 3-0 during that span but hasn't completed six innings in any appearance this season. Still, he owns a 2.60 ERA with a 45:14 K:BB through 45 frames this season. Lauer's next outing is expected to be at home against the Angels.
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Blue Jays' Eric Lauer: Strikes out eight in win
Rotowire
Lauer (3-1) earned the win Wednesday over the Diamondbacks, allowing a run on four hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out eight.
Lauer was excellent Wednesday, blanking Arizona for five innings before ultimately allowing a leadoff triple in the sixth to Corbin Carroll, who came around to score after the Jays turned to the bullpen. The 30-year-old Lauer lowered his ERA to 2.29 through 35.1 innings this season, which is accompanied by a 0.93 WHIP and 36:11 K:BB. The left-hander certainly made a case to remain in Toronto's rotation going forward, even with Max Scherzer (thumb) nearing a return from the IL.
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Blue Jays' Eric Lauer: Confirmed as Wednesday's starter
Rotowire
Lauer will start Wednesday's contest versus the Diamondbacks, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Lauer has bounced back and forth between being used as a traditional starter and a bulk reliever since getting called up from Triple-A Buffalo in late April. He's fared better in the latter role with a 0.96 ERA in six appearances, but the Blue Jays will give him a start against Arizona. With Bowden Francis (shoulder) out indefinitely, Lauer could get a long run in the Toronto rotation.
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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
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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: 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: Picks up win in bulk relief
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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: 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.
