December 22, 2024
The Toronto Blue Jays have signed left-handed pitcher
Eric Lauer to a minor league contract that contains an invite to Spring Training. Lauer spent the 2024 campaign with Houston and Pittsburgh. Lauer spent the entire summer at the Triple-A level and held a 5.26 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP across 75 1/3 innings. However, from 2018 through 2023, Lauer spent the majority of his time in the major leagues. The southpaw made his big league debut in San Diego in 2018 and then went on to spent four seasons in Milwaukee. He posted a career-best 3.19 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP with a 7-5 record across 118 2/3 innings during the 2021 season. Fantasy managers in deeper AL-only formats should keep an eye on his status during Spring Training as he may contend for a spot in the back-half of the Toronto rotation.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Toronto Blue Jays
May 20, 2024
The Houston Astros signed free-agent left-hander
Eric Lauer to a minor-league deal on Monday and assigned him to Triple-A Sugar Land, the team announced. Lauer will give the Astros' some much-needed starting rotation depth at the minor-league level for now. The 28-year-old southpaw recently opted out of his minors deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates after not pitching in the big leagues yet in 2024. He didn't look very good at Triple-A Indianapolis, though, so he'll need to show better results at Sugar Land in order to get consideration for a call-up to Houston. The former 25th overall pick by the San Diego Padres in 2016 out of Kent State has a career 4.30 ERA (4.60 FIP) and 1.37 WHIP with a mediocre 22 percent strikeout rate and 8.9 percent walk rate in 596 2/3 innings with the Padres and Brewers since 2018.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Houston Chronicle - Matt Kawahara
March 25, 2024
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher
Eric Lauer made his spring debut against the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday. The veteran southpaw looked strong as he struck out three batters over two scoreless innings. The 28-year-old has been a reliable option throughout most of his career. However, Lauer struggled heavily during his time with the Milwaukee Brewers last season. Lauer recently joined the Pirates roster, so he won't be ready for Opening Day. He'll likely head to Triple-A to get stretched out a bit before being a possible option in a few weeks. Fantasy managers can use a wait-and-see approach here.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
March 7, 2024
Free-agent left-hander
Eric Lauer has signed a minor-league deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates and will report to big-league spring training. The veteran elected free agency in October and has lingered on the open market weeks after pitchers and catchers reported for spring duty. Lauer spent the 2023 season with the Brewers where he worked to a 6.56 ERA in 10 outings (nine starts) and 46 2/3 innings of work. He was demoted to Triple-A Nashville where he posted a 5.15 ERA across 12 outings (nine starts) and 43 2/3 frames. A veteran of 120 MLB appearances, 112 of which were starts, Lauer owns a 4.30 ERA and tossed a 3.69 ERA in 29 starts as recently as the 2022 season. He could battle for a back-end rotation spot or perhaps a long-relief role as the Pirates' young arms gain more seasoning in the minors.
--Brenton KempSource: Ken Rosenthal
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