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Blue Jays' Pitching Plans Shift Following Eric Lauer Update

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt Graves | Last updated Aug 20, 2025 2:47 PM ET

The Toronto Blue Jays' weekend rotation is set to take on a new look.

Highlighted by the long-awaited debut of Shane Bieber in a Blue Jays uniform, the former Cy Young winner will take the mound Friday against the Miami Marlins. From there, Toronto will turn to José Berríos on Saturday and Kevin Gausman on Sunday, a trio that underscores both the experience and depth Toronto now has at its disposal.

With Chris Bassitt and Max Scherer also in the mix, manager John Schneider suddenly has six capable starters at his expense. That depth has created a "fluid situation," as Schneider described it, and Eric Lauer is the first to feel the ripple.

News: Eric Lauer will be available out of the #BlueJays’ bullpen this weekend.

“This is not a [permanent] move to the bullpen,” John Schneider reiterated.

This sounds like a flexible situation that could change week to week, but Lauer gets the first bump.
— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) August 20, 2025

The left-hander will be available out of the bullpen during the Miami series, though Schneider stressed the move is not a permanent shift. "It definitely doesn't take him out of starting contention going forward," he told reporters ahead of Wednesday's game.

Lauer has been one of the Blue Jays' most valuable under-the-radar additions this season. He has helped stabilize the rotation, starting 14 of his 20 appearances with an 8-2 record, a 2.76 ERA, an 87:25 strikeout-to-walk-ratio, and a 153 ERA+. His performance has been a major factor in the Blue Jays navigating early-season struggles on the mound.

The weekend shuffle reflects the luxury of options Toronto has now that Bieber is healthy, a situation the club hasn’t enjoyed in years. Whether Lauer remains in the bullpen or re-enters the rotation will depend on how the staff evolves over the coming weeks.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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