"Eric Lauer will be on the bump for Saturday's Grapefruit League opener versus the Philadelphia Phillies, the Toronto Blue Jays announced Thursday. The 30-year-old southpaw will open the club's exhibition schedule at TD Ballpark in Dunedin, Fla., as he continues his spring training starter's build-up. It hasn't been announced which pitchers will follow him out of the bullpen, but he's expected to throw multiple innings in the opener - also featuring third baseman Kazuma Okamoto's spring debut - against the Phillies."
"Lauer, who lost his arbitration case against the Blue Jays earlier this month and will earn $4.4 million this season, is competing for the fifth starter's job and multi-inning reliever role this spring. The veteran lefty is probably best served to return to the bullpen in 2026, but will also serve as injury protection for the rotation if José Berríos claims that final spot."
Eric Lauer is scheduled to start Saturday's Grapefruit League opener for the Toronto Blue Jays at TD Ballpark in Dunedin and is expected to throw multiple innings. Lauer lost an arbitration case and will earn $4.4 million this season while competing for the fifth starter and multi-inning reliever roles; he is likely to return to the bullpen in 2026 but could provide rotation injury protection. Lauer posted a 3.18 ERA, 3.85 FIP and a 17.8% K-BB% in 28 games (15 starts) last season. Prospect Fernando Perez will start Sunday's game versus Boston after a 3.04 ERA and 3.20 FIP across 26 starts last year; Perez is Rule 5-eligible next offseason. The Blue Jays went 18-10 in last spring's Grapefruit League.
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