The next day after Ponce, a KBO native will start the ML again? Former KIA Foreigner Joins Toronto Rotation Despite 'ERA 8.64' Slack

*This content was translated by AI.

Eric Lauer (31, Toronto Blue Jays), who played for the KIA Tigers in the past, is likely to enter the starting rotation despite his poor performance in exhibition games.

The Major League's official website, MLB.com , said on the 14th (Korea Standard Time), "Lauer is expected to be on standby as a sixth starter or a long relief role."

This is due to elbow inflammation of third starter Jose Berrios (32). Recently, Berrios wanted to play in the second round of the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) for Puerto Rico. However, one of the conditions for participation in the WBC was a major league certified insurance company's examination, which found inflammation in his right elbow, which failed to join the Puerto Rican national team.

Although no major injuries such as ruptured elbow ligaments or fractures were found, Toronto excluded Berrios from the scheduled mound on the 14th and began further examination.

At the same time, Toronto's thick starting lineup became a hot topic. Toronto, which unfortunately withdrew from the threshold of winning the World Series last year, aggressively reinforced its starting pitchers. The starting rotation of Kevin Gausman, Berrios, Chris Bassett, Max Scherzer, and Trey Yessevidge has already been set, but the starting resources have increased to eight with Dylan Shees, Cody Ponce and Lauer.

MLB.com said: "You've heard of Toronto's depth of selection being very thick. However, since pitchers' injuries are very frequent and their performance is difficult to predict, nine out of ten problems in the Major League end up being solved naturally over time, he said. "There is a possibility that Berrios will not be able to play in the opening game without assuming only the best scenario."

At the same time, Ponce's fifth starter and Lauer's sixth starter rotation were presented in order. MLB.com expected Siz and Gausman to form a one-two punch. Yevidge, a young starting pitcher who showed impressive performance in last year's World Series, and Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young Award veteran, are expected to be the third to fourth starters.

It is followed by pitchers from KBO. Ponce, who won the KBO MVP last year and signed a three-year, $30 million contract with Toronto, is also impressive in exhibition games. Ponce also started the day and has a 1.13 ERA in four exhibition games, scoring no runs despite his poor control.

It is interesting that Lauer was mentioned as a candidate for the sixth starter, not a bullpen. Lauer played for KIA in 2024 for one season. He was not good with two wins, two losses and an ERA of 4.93 in seven regular-season games, and returned to the U.S. immediately to continue his Major League challenge.

It's not good in this exhibition game. Lauer has been sluggish in four starts, with an 8.64 ERA and 11 hits (one homer) and two walks and seven strikeouts in eight ⅓ innings. The hit rate is 0.314, and the WHIP (on-base allowance per inning) is 1.56.

Nevertheless, the fact that he was mentioned as a starting candidate does not seem to have ignored his performance last year. Last year, Lauer was active in Toronto with a 9-2 record with a 3.18 ERA and 102 strikeouts in 104 ⅔ innings. He started only 15 games out of 28 games, but he showed good performance.

While the same role is expected this year, if that happens, Lauer will take the mound the next day of Ponce.

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*This content was translated by AI.