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MLB
Blue Jays never wanted Eric Lauer like this anyway
TL;DR
The Toronto Blue Jays continue to use an opener in front of Eric Lauer, who has struggled with a 6.69 ERA this season. Lauer's performance has led the team to seek healthier roster options to reduce his role.
Key points
- Toronto Blue Jays used an opener in front of Eric Lauer again
- Lauer has a 6.69 ERA this season
- Lauer's performance has been disappointing in 2026
- Blue Jays are looking for healthier roster options
Toronto Blue JaysEric Lauer
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:
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The Blue Jays wanted to pay Lauer as little as they could.
They also bulked up their rotation depth with Scherzer even after signing Dylan Cease and .
Q&A
Why are the Blue Jays using an opener for Eric Lauer?
The Blue Jays are using an opener for Eric Lauer due to his poor performance this season, which has left them seeking better pitching options.
What is Eric Lauer's ERA in the 2026 season?
Eric Lauer has an ERA of 6.69 in the 2026 season, indicating significant struggles on the mound.
How did Eric Lauer perform in the 2025 season compared to 2026?
Eric Lauer had a strong performance in 2025, but he has struggled significantly in 2026, leading to his current reliance on openers.
