Blue Jays place Addison Barger back on the IL, designate Eric Lauer for assignment

AL EastBlue JaysOriolesRaysRed SoxYankeesAL CentralGuardiansRoyalsTigersTwinsWhite SoxAL WestAngelsAstrosAthleticsMarinersRangersNL EastBravesMarlinsMetsNationalsPhilliesNL CentralBrewersCardinalsCubsPiratesRedsNL WestDiamondbacksDodgersGiantsPadresRockiesScores & ScheduleStandingsPodcastsThe Windup NewsletterFantasyMLB ProspectsMLB OddsMLB PicksPower RankingsFans Speak UpBlue Jays place Addison Barger back on the IL, designate Eric Lauer for assignmentAddison Barger returns to the injured list just one game after he was activated following a month-long absence. Kamil Krzaczynski / Imagn Images Share articleThe Toronto Blue Jays’ star-crossed 2026 season continued on Monday, with the team removing two key contributors to their 2025 American League pennant-winning team from the roster. Addison Barger, a key bat, returned to the injured list with a right elbow injury just one game after rejoining the team following his recovery from an ankle injury and swingman Eric Lauer — a savior for the rotation in 2025 — was designated for assignment after a slow start to his season. One of the offensive breakouts that sparked Toronto’s lineup last summer, Barger hurt his elbow on a 102-mph throw from the outfield in Saturday’s win over the Los Angeles Angels. It was a perfect outfield assist, gunning out a runner at home plate, but the consequence is more missed time. Outfielder Yohendrick Piñango replaces Barger on the roster.  The Jays had hoped Barger could inject hard-hitting swings back into a lineup that currently craves power, but he lasted just nine innings in his return from a month-long absence. He scored a run, walked twice and recorded that fateful outfield assist in the 14-1 win. Meanwhile, Lauer was designated for assignment after allowing six runs in five relief innings against the Angels on Sunday, pushing his season ERA to 6.69 and picking up his AL-leading fifth loss. The Jays called up Yariel Rodríguez from Triple-A Buffalo to replace Lauer. While Rodríguez can provide multi-inning relief, it’s not clear how the Jays will navigate the fifth spot in their rotation moving forward. Lauer unexpectedly saved the rotation last year, pitching 104 2/3 innings with a 3.18 ERA, but he wasn’t the same in 2026. He struck out nine batters in his first start of the year, but an early-season illness sapped his velocity and effectiveness. While Lauer’s health returned in recent weeks, he contributed to just one win in his last seven appearances. Following a defeat in arbitration during the offseason, Lauer publicly expressed his desire to start this season. As Blue Jays starters hit the injured list, he was given that opportunity. With sporadic velocity and diminished stuff, though, he could not keep the job. “I obviously shot myself in the foot with my last start giving up three runs in the first inning,” Lauer told reporters, including Keegan Matheson, after his Sunday start, “so I didn’t do myself much justice there. Today, I didn’t do a whole lot better.” With José Berríos heading to an elbow surgeon on Tuesday, Cody Ponce out for the year, Shane Bieber still weeks away from returning and Max Scherzer’s forearm health uncertain, the Jays could’ve used a strong string of outings from Lauer. Instead, with 2025 clearly behind them, the Jays are now searching for different rotation solutions. Last year’s heroism can’t help this year’s cause. Spencer Miles, Toronto’s Rule 5 draft choice, threw three clean innings as Sunday’s starter ahead of Lauer’s bulk relief. Miles was drafted as a starting pitcher, has shown the ability to throw multiple innings this year and owns a 3.00 ERA. While Miles doesn’t have any track record of durability, he could continue to be stretched out and the Jays could pair him with Rodríguez or other relievers for bullpen games. The Jays could also turn to minor-league options like CJ Van Eyk or Chad Dallas for the fifth spot in the rotation. The Jays have been hit hard by injuries to their lineup, as well, with Alejandro Kirk and George Springer also missing time and the offence has been inconsistent all season. The Jays entered Monday’s contest with an 18-22 record, though just one game back from a playoff spot. Barger, for a day, seemed like a potential solution to the team’s health woes and lack of run production. Instead, it’s another setback for the 2026 Jays. Barger’s injury opens the door for Piñango, who hit .423 in his first taste of MLB. The 24-year-old outfielder was optioned back to the minors when Barger returned from the IL over the weekend, as there wasn’t much room for his lefty bat in the lineup. Days later, the Jays brought the hot hitter back to MLB. The Jays have the outfield depth to survive Barger’s injury, but he’s the sort of player that could help the team thrive. This isn’t necessarily a new situation for the Jays. They’re left hoping that depth players and minor-leaguers can step into bigger roles, helping the lineup and team stay afloat into the summer. The Jays, early this season, are getting quite used to treading water. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms