TORONTO – Pitcher Eric Lauer has accomplished somewhat little bit of every little thing for the Toronto Blue Jays since his season debut seven weeks in the past.
The 30-year-old left-hander has labored in brief aid, served in a bulk position and is now used as a spot starter.
He has been getting outcomes each step of the way in which.
Lauer was in high type Wednesday night time, permitting one earned run over five-plus innings in an 8-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Rogers Centre.
“He has been actually rattling good,” mentioned Blue Jays supervisor John Schneider.
Lauer (3-1) had a season-high eight strikeouts and allowed 4 hits and a stroll. Over his final 5 appearances, he has given up three earned runs over 19 innings and held opponents to a .136 common.
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He credit fastball command for his stable efficiency this season.
“Rushing guys up, slowing them down, shifting them out and in and up and down — that’s pitching to me,” Lauer mentioned. “To me, I’m a pitcher. I’ve by no means been an overwhelming man. I’ve by no means been only a stuff man. I’m not going to out-stuff individuals.
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“However I feel I could make my pitches play up higher than they really are primarily based on how I can throw my fastball.”
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Bo Bichette hit a leadoff homer off Eduardo Rodriguez (2-4) and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. drove in three runs for the Blue Jays (40-33), who will go for a three-game sweep Thursday afternoon.
Bichette and Addison Barger had three hits apiece whereas Guerrero reached base 5 occasions. He had a single, double and three walks.
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Toronto has gained 11 of its final 12 dwelling video games and earned 14 victories over its final 19 video games total.
Lauer threw 5 shutout frames earlier than he was pulled after giving up a leadoff triple to Corbin Carroll within the sixth.
With Yariel Rodriguez on in aid, Carroll scored the lone run for Arizona (36-37) on a groundout by Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
Toronto answered with three runs within the backside half of the inning and broke the sport open with a three-run seventh. The Blue Jays improved to 15-8 in interleague play.
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Lauer has made 4 begins this season in a rotation anchored by veteran right-handers Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios and Chris Bassitt.
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Max Scherzer made just one begin resulting from a thumb challenge and Bowden Francis was largely ineffective earlier than touchdown on the IL this week resulting from a shoulder impingement.
Lauer has stuffed in admirably when wanted and has seemingly earned himself a brief spot within the five-man combine.
“Over the course of the yr, your depth goes to get examined,” Schneider mentioned. “So to have a man like him step up has been superior.”
A primary-round decide (No. 25 total) by San Diego in 2016, Lauer made his big-league debut with the Padres in 2018.
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He later spent components of 4 seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers earlier than splitting final yr between Triple-A and the Korean league.
Lauer signed a minor-league take care of the Blue Jays final December and his contract was chosen from Triple-A Buffalo on April 30.
Since then, he has posted a powerful 2.29 earned-run common over 10 appearances with 36 strikeouts in opposition to simply 11 walks.
“Your finest capacity is availability,” Lauer mentioned. “So I simply attempt to go on the market and do my job each time I’m known as.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed June 18, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
