Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Eric Lauer (56) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. David Richard-Imagn Images

Veteran Swingman Eric Lauer Extends Historic Start to Toronto Blue Jays Tenure

Originally posted on Fastball on SI | By Sam Connon | Last updated Jun 25, 2025 10:30 AM ET

After posting lackluster numbers in Korea and the minor leagues, it seemed like Eric Lauer's time as an effective big league pitcher had run out.

But the veteran left-hander has certainly made the most of his chance with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Lauer tossed 5.1 innings against the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday, allowing five hits, three walks and one earned run with five strikeouts. That set the stage for the Blue Jays' eventual 10-6 victory, moving them to 8-3 when Lauer takes the mound.

Since having his contract selected from Triple-A Buffalo on April 30, Lauer is 4-1 with a 2.21 ERA, 1.008 WHIP and 9.1 strikeouts per nine innings. He has made five starts and six relief appearances in that time, eating innings while Max Scherzer, Bowden Francis and Alek Manoah have been on the injured list.

According to TSN's StatsCentre, Lauer boasts the second-lowest ERA ever by a Blue Jays pitcher through their first 11 career outings with the franchise, minimum 40.0 innings. Roger Clemens holds the record with a 1.85 ERA to open the 1997 campaign, while Lauer slotted himself in just above David Price, Mike Flanagan, Manoah, Kevin Gausman and Tom Candiotti on the leaderboards.

Lowest ERA in a pitcher's first 11 career appearances with the @BlueJays franchise (minimum of 41 innings):
1.85- Roger Clemens
2.21- Eric Lauer (Via his 1 ER in 5.1 IP tonight vs CLE)
2.30- David Price
2.58- Mike Flanagan
2.59- Alek Manoah
2.78- Kevin Gausman
2.84- Tom Candiotti pic.twitter.com/eWxb9pYdJl
— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) June 25, 2025

Lauer was a first round pick in the 2016 MLB Draft, eventually reaching the majors in 2018. In his two full seasons with the San Diego Padres, Lauer went 14-17 with a 4.40 ERA, 1.460 WHIP and 8.2 strikeouts per nine innings.

The Padres traded Lauer to the Milwaukee Brewers ahead of the 2020 campaign. After dealing with COVID-19 and a shoulder injury that first season in Milwaukee, Lauer went 18-12 with a 3.47 ERA, 1.186 WHIP and 8.9 strikeouts per nine innings between 2021 and 2022.

However, Lauer went 4-6 with a 6.46 ERA, 1.671 WHIP and 8.3 strikeouts per nine innings in 2023. He was outrighted to the minors at the end of the season, only to opt for free agency and fail to find any other MLB opportunities.

Lauer fizzled out on his minor league contracts with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Houston Astros in 2024, then joined the Kia Tigers in the Korean Baseball Organization in the back half of the season. He went 4-5 with a 5.26 ERA and 1.566 WHIP in Triple-A before going 2-2 with a 4.93 ERA and 1.356 WHIP in the KBO.

Even during his time with the Blue Jays' Triple-A affiliate to open 2025, Lauer still only went 1-3 with a 4.50 ERA and 1.250 WHIP.

A few months later, Lauer is in the same company as Clemens and Price, proving that those struggles are firmly in his past.

This article first appeared on Fastball on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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