Blue Jays Sign 23-Year-Old Righty As Eric Lauer DFA Tests Pitching Depth

BusinessSportsMoneyBlue Jays Sign 23-Year-Old Righty As Eric Lauer DFA Tests Pitching DepthByPeter Chawaga,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Peter Chawaga is a writer and editor covering Major League Baseball.Follow AuthorMay 12, 2026, 07:00am EDTDETROIT, MI - JULY 16: A detailed view of a Toronto Blue Jays baseball hat and glove sitting on the dugout steps during the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on July 16, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Blue Jays 6-5. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)MLB Photos via Getty ImagesThe Toronto Blue Jays are looking to upset one of the best teams in the American League in the midst of their series with the Tampa Bay Rays but, in the meantime, their injury issues just continue to pile up.Most recently, that meant another injured list stint for Addison Barger, who played in a single game after overcoming an ankle issue only to be sent back with an elbow problem. But Barger is just one of many key players who have been sidelined as the Blue Jays look to return to the World Series.ForbesYankees Boss Pushes Back On Anthony Volpe Narrative: ‘None Of That Is True’By Peter ChawagaToronto Blue Jays’ Depth Tested With Eric Lauer DFAIn the rotation, the team has lost Cody Ponce for the season, with Shane Bieber and Jose Berrios yet to make their debuts and Max Scherzer struggling with a forearm injury. And even as the team scrambles to assemble pitching depth behind Dylan Cease, Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage and newcomer Patrick Corbin, it has now felt forced to designate Eric Lauer for assignment. “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,” Mitch Bannon wrote for The Athletic. “The Jays called up Yariel Rodríguez from Triple-A Buffalo to replace Lauer. While Rodríguez can provide multi-in...