Arbitrator rules in Blue Jays’ favour over Eric Lauer

The Toronto Blue Jays got some clarity on their finances shortly before the start of Spring Training.

According to numerous reporters, the Blue Jays won their arbitration case against Eric Lauer, thus he’ll be paid $4.4 million next season as opposed to the $5.75 million that he filed for.

Eric Lauer has lost his arbitration hearing against the Blue Jays, per source. Lauer will earn $4.4 million in 2026; he had filed at $5.75 million.

Lauer, who is reportedly being stretched out to start in Spring Training, was signed to a minor league deal ahead of the 2025 season. Lauer became a crucial member of the team once he was called up. Over 28 games, the left-handed pitcher finished the season with a 3.18 ERA and 3.85 FIP in 104.2 innings pitched, along with a 23.9 K% and 6.1 BB%.

After Max Scherzer went down with an injury and Bowden Francis struggled to perform, Lauer filled in the rotation and found success over his 15 starts, posting a 3.77 ERA and 4.36 FIP in 74 innings pitched. It’s worth noting that six of the 14 earned runs he gave up as a starter came in his final start after not pitching for over a week due to Shane Bieber returning to the rotation.

Out of the bullpen, Lauer was one of just 14 pitchers with 30 innings or more pitched and an ERA below 2. In 30.2 innings out of the bullpen, he had a 1.76 ERA and 2.61 FIP, the seventh-best ERA in that sample size. Fellow Blue Jays Braydon Fisher and Tommy Nance also had an ERA below 2 in the bullpen, as did former Blue Jay Matt Svanson and future Blue Jay Tyler Rogers.

With Bieber missing the start of the season and Francis out for the entire year, Lauer is once again going to be an important pitcher for the Blue Jays. Whether he’s used to spot start, fill in the rotation because of injuries, or gives length out of the bullpen, expect the Blue Jays to lean heavily on the 30-year-old lefty.

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