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.
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.
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.
Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Eric Lauer cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Nashville on Friday. The Brewers decided to boot Lauer off the 40-man roster after his horrendous 2023 campaign. He registered a 6.56 ERA, 1.67 WHIP over 10 appearances (nine starts) with the Brewers. It's worth noting that before this season, Lauer was a viable option for Milwaukee over the last two seasons. That being said, it wouldn't be shocking to see the Brewers give him another shot in the rotation at some point. Although, Lauer does reserve the right to head into free agency if he wants to this offseason.
Milwaukee Brewers left-hander Eric Lauer, who was optioned to Triple-A Nashville in mid-June, hasn't pitched since his demotion. According to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com, the 28-year-old is dealing with an undisclosed health issue, and the team placed him on the inactive list on Thursday. There's no timetable for Lauer's return. Across 42.2 innings at the big league level, the 28-year-old posted a 4-5 record, 5.48 ERA, and 1.52 WHIP with 41 strikeouts after a successful 2022 campaign in which he produced a 3.69 ERA with 11 wins. Lauer was already pretty irrelevant in fantasy leagues, but now he should be dropped everywhere.
Eric Lauer Will Start A Rehab Assignment On Tuesday
Milwaukee Brewers left-handed pitcher Eric Lauer (shoulder) will begin a minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday. Lauer has been dealing with a left shoulder impingement, which had sidelined him on May 20 but it's nice to see him trending in the right direction. The southpaw put up an ugly 5.48 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, and 41:20 K/BB ratio across 42 2/3 innings (eight starts) before going down with the injury. He'll need a few tuneup starts before he's ready to return to the big league club so he should be back with the Brewers sometime in mid-June, barring a setback.
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Eric Lauer (shoulder) has been placed on the 15-day injured list on Monday. The left-hander made his return to the rotation on Saturday. Sadly, it didn't go as planned, Lauer allowed six runs over three-plus innings of work. He'll now head to the injured list with a left shoulder impingement. The organization hasn't given a timetable on Lauer's return. In a corresponding move, right-hander Tyson Miller has been recalled from the minors to take Lauer's spot on the roster.
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Eric Lauer will have his next turn in the rotation skipped. The 27-year-old will be available out of the bullpen, but will take a backseat to Colin Rea for at least one start. Lauer has seen his velocity drop this season, so possibly that's why the Brewers are pulling him out of the rotation. He's posting a 4.72 ERA with 33/18 K/BB ratio in seven starts this season. He didn't have a ton of fantasy value anyway, but a move to the bullpen would basically end all his value.
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Eric Lauer performed well on Thursday as he fired five-shutout frames in the team's 4-2 loss to the Marlins. The lefty struck out nine batters on the night, including four straight to begin the game, without walking a batter and allowing just one single in his 71-pitch effort. He was in line for the win until the bullpen blew it in the late innings, but it was good to see him dominate after struggling in his first game back off the IL last week. Lauer will take a 3.83 ERA and 1.24 WHIP into his final start of the season in a home showdown with the Diamondbacks.
Milwaukee Brewers left-hander Eric Lauer (elbow) is trending towards coming off the injured list to start on Friday against the Cincinnati Reds on the first day he's eligible to return. Lauer is throwing his second bullpen session on Tuesday, and barring a setback, it looks like he'll return to Milwaukee's rotation to begin a weekend series against Cincinnati. The 27-year-old southpaw last started on Sept. 7, when he surrendered seven earned runs on six hits (two homers) while walking one and striking out four in just 2 2/3 innings in a loss to the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Without going on a minor league rehab assignment, Lauer will be a bit risky as a fantasy option, even against the lowly Reds. In 26 starts in 2022, he's gone 10-7 with a 3.91 ERA (4.74 FIP), a 1.25 WHIP, 138 K's and 52 walks in 145 innings pitched.
