RADIO
Eric Lauer "Firmly in the Mix" for Rotation Spot
Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that left-hander Eric Lauer is "firmly in the mix to be in the rotation," according to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. The team's management of young right-hander Trey Yesavage is the "big remaining variable," and Lauer is "right on that line" now that right-hander Jose Berrios (elbow) won't be ready for Opening Day. If Yesavage begins the year on the big-league roster, the Blue Jays could use a combination of Yesavage and Lauer for the final rotation spot early on. Lauer, 30, pitched very well in 2025 in his first year with the team, going 9-2 with a career-best 3.18 ERA (3.85 FIP), 1.11 WHIP, and 102:26 K:BB in 104 2/3 innings over his 28 appearances (15 starts) during the regular season. Shane Bieber (forearm) will also begin the year on the IL, so things are opening up for Lauer to have some deep-league appeal early on in 2026.
Source: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson
Source: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson
