RADIO
Eric Lauer Expected to Win Rotation Spot
Toronto Blue Jays left-hander Eric Lauer "should once again move into the rotation" to begin the 2026 season now that right-hander Trey Yesavage (shoulder) will start the year on the injured list, according to Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. Manager John Schneider hasn't guaranteed Lauer a rotation spot, but Lauer appears to have "gone from eighth starter to the top five in a matter of weeks." The 30-year-old southpaw got up to 70 pitches in his most recent spring training outing. Lauer has allowed eight earned runs in 8 1/3 Grapefruit League innings this spring, but he has struck out seven and only walked two in his four starts, and he was tremendous for the Blue Jays' rotation a year ago, when he went 9-2 with a 3.18 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 102:26 K:BB in 104 2/3 innings over 28 appearances (15 starts). At least until Toronto's rotation arms get healthy, Lauer could be a nice matchup-based sleeper in deeper fantasy leagues. In addition to Yesavage, both righties Shane Bieber (forearm) and Jose Berrios (elbow) will start on the IL.
Source: The Athletic - Mitch Bannon
Source: The Athletic - Mitch Bannon
