"It was terrible to go to Korea" But it happened with a big twist!→The promotion of ML selection is confirmed, 'I expect the main character of the KBO reverse export myth'

*This content was translated by AI.

Eric Lauer (31, Toronto Blue Jays), who joined the KIA Tigers at the end of the 2024 season and contributed to the unified championship, is highly likely to join the starting lineup. An opportunity came due to the sudden injury of a teammate.

MLB.com , the official website of the U.S. Major League Baseball (MLB), reported on the 20th (Korea time) that "Trey Yeservidge (23) is scheduled to open the season on the injured list (IL) due to right shoulder collision syndrome."

According to Toronto manager John Schneider, Yessevidge does not completely stop pitching training, but it seems difficult to match his physical condition until the opening game. "It's a symptom that has appeared since joining the spring camp," Schneider said. "As a result, the build-up process has been delayed." He continued, "But for now, he's in good shape. It is a decent step in further increasing the intensity, he said, adding, "We will continue to implement the programs we have been doing so far."

Yessevidge is no longer on the mound after throwing 35 pitches in two innings in the minor league on the 17th. He has yet to play in an exhibition game in the Major League. At this rate, it seems necessary not only to fail to join the opening entry, but also to increase the number of pitches through several appearances in the future. You have to make sure that not only the number of pitches but also the pitch is back to normal.

Toronto is already struggling with injuries to its starters. Shane Bieber has yet to throw a ball due to the symptoms of forearm fatigue. Recently, even ace Jose Berrios was diagnosed with a right elbow fatigue fracture.

Someone must fill the vacancy in the starting lineup. And Lauer's name is being mentioned as a strong candidate. MLB.com said: "With the departure of injured starters, Toronto is very likely to eventually join Lauer in the starting rotation with Cody Ponce, following Kevin Gausman, Dylan Shees and Max Scherzer. If Yessevidge, Bieber and Berrios return one after another at the beginning of the season, there will be a card to choose again, but Toronto must enter a holding mode for now.

Meanwhile, Lauer joined KIA as an alternative foreign pitcher in August 2024. In addition, he took the mound in seven games, recorded 2 wins, 2 losses and a 4.93 ERA, helping KIA win the Korean Series. After returning to the U.S. and signing a minor league contract with Toronto, he emerged as a key player for the team with a brilliant record of 9 wins, 2 losses and 3.18 ERA in 28 games (15 starts) in the 2025 season. In particular, he took the mound as a bullpen in the postseason and World Series stages and proved his value by pitching scoreless pitching.

According to MLB.com , Lauer also drew attention by looking back on the urgent situation at the time of joining KIA in the past. "When I was informed by KIA to make a decision within 12 hours at the time, the proposal sounded terrible when I thought of my pregnant wife," he confessed. However, the trip to Korea, which I chose with my wife's support, came back with the best result. Lauer expressed his deep gratitude for the love he received in the KBO League, saying, "My experience in Korea was really the best, and I felt like I became a Toronto superstar, Vladimir Guerrero Jr."

Recently, it has drawn attention due to salary adjustment. Lauer demanded $5.75 million (about 8.3 billion won) in annual salary for the 2026 season from the Toronto club. Toronto, on the other hand, insisted on paying 4 million dollars (about 5.3 billion won). In the end, the distance between the two sides did not narrow, and the salary adjustment process began. And the salary adjustment committee eventually accepted the Toronto club's claim. Still, the amount is a whopping 12-fold increase compared to the total amount of 350,000 U.S. dollars when he signed a contract with Kia. This is truly a reversal of his life. It was Lauer who proved that the KBO League and KIA were not just a place to escape for him, but a land of opportunity for a successful U-turn. And now, as his teammate suffered an unexpected injury, he even had a golden opportunity to join the starting lineup. Will Lauer be able to demonstrate his skills well in the regular season.

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*This content was translated by AI.