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BALTIMORE, MD – JULY 29: Eric Lauer #56 of the Toronto Blue Jays looks on before game two of a split doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 29, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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The Toronto Blue Jays have been snakebit by injuries this season, struggling to regain the momentum they enjoyed during a run all the way to Game 7 of the World Series last year.<\/p>\n
The team has lost players across the roster, including catcher Alejandro Kirk and switch-hitting slugger Anthony Santander. But the pitching staff has been particularly decimated, with Dylan Cease hitting the injured list this week alongside Shane Bieber, Max Scherzer, Cody Ponce and Jose Berrios. <\/p>\n
That has left the team surprisingly shorthanded in the rotation, particularly after it cut ties with swingman Eric Lauer, who posted a 6.69 ERA in 36 and one-third innings for the team this season after playing a key role in its run last year.<\/p>\n
ForbesDodgers\u2019 Freddie Freeman Sends Retirement Message After Personal UpdateBy Peter Chawaga<\/a>Former Toronto Blue Jays Pitcher Eric Lauer Traded To Los Angeles Dodgers After Issues With Role<\/p>\n The Blue Jays\u2019 decision to trade Lauer to the Los Angeles Dodgers might have further thinned their pitching stable, but it seemed like their hand was forced after Lauer shared his feelings about following an opener rather than taking on the role of a more traditional starter.<\/p>\n “It\u2019s definitely different,” Lauer told reporters after following an opener last month, per Sportsnet<\/a>. “To be real blunt, I hate it. I can’t stand it.\u201d<\/p>\n Lauer later clarified that he felt those comments were overblown and that he cleared the air with the team\u2019s pitching coach and manager John Schneider shortly after making them. But now that his time with the Blue Jays has officially concluded and he is preparing to make his first start for the Dodgers, Lauer revealed that his role with his former team was affecting his ability to perform on the mound.<\/p>\n \u201cBut in hindsight \u2026 he started \u2018feeling like I was looking over my shoulder\u2019 regarding his role on the team,\u201d the California Post\u2019s Jack Harris reported on Tuesday<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cIt started to get in my mind a little more than I would like to admit it did,\u201d Lauer added, according to Harris.<\/p>\n