Was it because he publicly expressed displeasure with the manager's strategy? Left-handed pitcher Eric Lauer (30·Toronto Blue Jays), who used to play for the KBO League's KIA Tigers, has lost his spot in the starting rotation.
According to local media including MLB.com, Toronto manager John Schneider announced adjustments to the starting rotation along with the return timetable for pitcher Trey Yasevich, who was on the injured list, ahead of the Cleveland Guardians game on the 26th (Korean time).
Yasevich, who surprised with a strong postseason showing as a rookie last year, missed the opening rotation because of right shoulder impingement syndrome. He began a rehab appearance on April 4 with Single-A Dunedin, finished final checks by throwing up to 64 pitches on April 22 with Triple-A Buffalo, and will make his first start of the season on the 29th against the Boston Red Sox.
With Yasevich's return, Lauer, who had been in the starting rotation, will move to the bullpen. Lauer has struggled this season in five appearances (four starts, 22 2/3 innings), going 1-3 with a 6.75 ERA and 19 strikeouts. But considering Max Scherzer has been extremely poor with five appearances (18 2/3 innings), a 1-3 record, a 9.64 ERA and 10 strikeouts, the decision is disappointing from Lauer's perspective.
Some view it as punishment for insubordination. Lauer made a relief appearance in the second inning on the 18th against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Reliever Brayden Fisher started as the opener and pitched only the first inning, and Lauer took over in the second inning as the bulk guy and worked long innings. He held up reasonably well with five innings and three runs allowed, but Lauer pushed back against that usage.
In a postgame interview he said, "To be honest, I really hate it. It's unbearable," and added, "(Going out after an opener) breaks my pregame routine. We are creatures of habit, and the change in rhythm and routine made it difficult. I don't want this method to continue, but that's not my decision."
Schneider said, "Lauer is a very competitive player. I understand his desire to be a starter and his frustration," but added firmly, "How we use players is not his decision. If he doesn't like it, he should talk to me and the coaching staff directly."
In his next outing on the 23rd against the Los Angeles Angels, Lauer started rather than opening. He went five innings, allowed seven hits (two home runs), two walks, struck out three and gave up three runs — not bad, but not strikingly impressive — and ultimately gave the starting spot to Yasevich. He will return to a long-relief role.
Schneider said, "Lauer understands as well. We all know he doesn't like being an opener and he doesn't like not being a starter. He will still pitch important innings for our team. Our rotation has been in flux so far, and it may continue to be," forecasting the use of emergency spot starters, and added, "After his first outing his stuff declined and there were some issues with his delivery. There's still an opportunity to improve those parts."
Lauer, who posted a personal best of 11 wins in 2012 with the Milwaukee Brewers and served as a key starter, saw his career falter afterward because of shoulder injuries and did not throw a pitch in the majors in 2024. He accepted an offer from KIA in August that year and moved to Korea. At the time, his wife was pregnant with their first child, and Lauer, who had hesitated about going to Korea, recalled, "KIA told me, 'Decide within 12 hours,' and that moment sounded absolutely terrible. I thought going to Korea then was the worst timing."
Encouraged by his wife to go to Korea, he underperformed with seven games (34 2/3 innings), a 2-2 record, a 4.93 ERA and 37 strikeouts. After failing to re-sign, Lauer signed a minor league deal with Toronto last year and was called up at the end of April because of Scherzer's injury. He surprised with 28 appearances (15 starts, 104 2/3 innings), a 9-2 record, one hold, a 3.18 ERA and 102 strikeouts. Starting as a long reliever, he earned a spot in the rotation and helped Toronto reach the World Series as the runner-up. But less than a year later he was demoted from the rotation back to the bullpen and his standing narrowed.
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