Eric Lauer's performance has declined, raising speculation about his future with the Toronto Blue Jays, including a potential IL stint or DFA. Meanwhile, Addison Barger is undergoing an MRI for his right elbow after experiencing limited range of motion.
Key points
Eric Lauer's performance has declined this season.
Addison Barger is undergoing an MRI for his elbow.
Lauer may be placed on the injured list or DFA.
Spencer Miles could replace Lauer in the rotation.
Barger has limited range of motion in his arm.
Toronto Blue JaysBoston Red Sox
Apr 29, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Eric Lauer (56) pitches to the Boston Red Sox during the fourth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images | John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Apr 29, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Eric Lauer (56) pitches to the Boston Red Sox during the fourth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images | John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Yariel Rodriguez will be with the team for tonightâs game. The team had an open spot on the 40-man roster, but there is no word on how they will free up a spot on the active roster. Rodriguez has thrown 13.2 innings, with 9 walks, 25 strikeouts and 7 hits, with a 2.63 ERA.
Iâm guessing that Eric Lauer will either go on the IL (he is throwing a couple of miles per hour lower than last year, the excuse might be to find out if there is a physical reason for that) or they DFA him and put him on waivers. If a team picked him up, they would owe him about $3.1 million, which isnât all that much for a guy who had a 3.18 ERA last year. Or other teams could wait to see if he elects free agency after the waiver period.
Batters are hitting .264/.335/.542 against him. Heâs handed out 16 walks in 36.1 innings, when he had just 26 in 104.2 innings last year. And he leads baseball with 11 home runs allowed.
Of course Iâm guessing at stuff. Giving up on a guy, who was very good last year, on just 36 innings is not a great way to do business. But Lauer has had an up and down career. The unfortunate thing for Lauer is that last year he was throwing just hard enough to keep batters honest. When you lose a little from âjust hard enoughâ, bad things happened. We saw that a few years ago with Marco Estrada. He never threw upper 90s but when he went from lower 90s to upper 80s, he wasnât quite the same guy.
But without Lauer, theyâd need someone in five days.
Spencer Miles could be used in that spot. He three innings yesterday and likely could go a bit more next time out. And Yariel Rodriguez can do more than one inning, heâs done two or more a couple of times in Buffalo.
Of course it is possible it isnât Lauer whoâs coming off the roster.
I totally reject the idea that Lauerâs problems are because of them bouncing him back and forth between bulk man and starter. Heâs not throwing softer because heâs changing roles (or if he is, it is a lousy way of showing he should be a full time starter).
And Iâm not buying the âheâs sulking because of the opener thingâ. He was asked if he likes the opener thing, and he answered honestly. I bet if you asked every starting pitcher in the leagueâŚ.wellâŚ..most of them wouldnât actually answer, because if you answer people will twist it. Fans complain about players give stock answers to questions, but when someone gives a real answer they read more into it than just an answer to a question. No starting pitcher wants to go to the bulk man role. But then, if they want out of that role, PITCH BETTER.
I also dislike reading body language. Players canât win that game. If a player smiles and is happy, while struggling, we complain (Jerry Howarth ran for being his usual happy self, even though he wasnât playing well). If they look serious, they are sulking. The players canât win.
is off to get an MRI on his right elbow. To me, it is very likely a direct line from this (one amazing throw):
There is this:
Now I donât know if any of that is true. I donât know how Addison felt right after the throw. I donât know if there was immediate pain or anything. I do know that someone twittered that Addison grimaced in the dugout when he was high-fiving after the throw. I donât know that he had another throw in from right that game.
Hopefully it is just soreness. I think weâve all thrown a ball a little too hard and then had pain after. But Barger likely knows the difference between a little soreness and something that needs an MRI. They say he woke up with âlimited range of motionâ in the arm. That doesnât sound good.
I donât want him to be out another month.
It would be nice if there was something fun to write about.
Q&A
What are the potential outcomes for Eric Lauer with the Blue Jays?
Eric Lauer may either be placed on the injured list or designated for assignment, depending on the team's roster decisions.
What is Addison Barger's injury status after his recent throw?
Addison Barger is getting an MRI on his right elbow due to limited range of motion and possible soreness after a strong throw.
How has Eric Lauer's pitching performance changed this season?
Lauer's pitching has declined, with a significant increase in walks and home runs allowed compared to last season.
Who might replace Eric Lauer in the Blue Jays' rotation?
Spencer Miles is a candidate to replace Eric Lauer in the rotation, as he has shown the ability to pitch multiple innings.
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