What Happened to Eric Lance Lauer?

Eric Lauer's professional baseball journey began when he was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the first round of the 2016 MLB draft out of Kent State University, where he had a highly decorated amateur career, including winning the National Pitcher of the Year Award. He made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with the Padres in April 2018.

In 2020, Lauer was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers, where he spent four seasons. After a strong 2021 and 2022 campaign, including an 11-7 record and a 3.69 ERA in 29 starts in 2022, his performance declined significantly in 2023, posting a 4-6 record with a 6.56 ERA in 10 games before being outrighted to Triple-A and eventually opting for free agency. The 2024 season saw Lauer's career at a crossroads; he signed minor league deals with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Houston Astros but was released by both. He then moved to the KBO League, signing with the Kia Tigers in August 2024, where he helped them win the 2024 Korean Series.

Lauer returned to MLB in 2025, signing a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. He was called up in April and became an unexpected hero for the team, contributing significantly as both a starter and a long reliever. He finished the 2025 regular season with a 9-2 record, a 3.18 ERA, and 102 strikeouts across 104.2 innings pitched in 28 appearances (15 starts). His postseason performance was also notable, particularly an 'epic' 4 2/3 scoreless innings of relief in an 18-inning World Series Game 3 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Heading into 2026, Lauer's relationship with the Blue Jays became strained. He went to salary arbitration, filing for $5.75 million while the Blue Jays filed for $4.4 million, with the team ultimately winning the case. He also expressed public displeasure with the team's usage of him, particularly being used as a bulk pitcher following an opener. His performance suffered early in the 2026 season, recording a 6.69 ERA over 36.1 innings in eight appearances with Toronto.

On May 17, 2026, Lauer was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays and subsequently traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for cash considerations. The Dodgers, facing significant injuries to their pitching staff, initially planned to use Lauer as a swingman. However, he quickly found himself in a starting role. As of June 30, 2026, Lauer has shown improved form with the Dodgers, registering a 2.54 ERA over 28.1 innings across five outings and holding a 2-0 record with the team. He continues to be a crucial depth piece, filling in the rotation and working in bulk relief, most recently throwing six hitless innings on June 22, 2026.