There seems to be some sort of ailment going around the Toronto Blue Jays clubhouse to start the 2026 season. On Friday, Toronto will open up a three-game series with the Chicago White Sox.
Through six games, the Blue Jays are 4-2, which is a good start considering all the injuries to starters. On Friday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reported that starter Eric Lauer will now pitch on Sunday instead of Saturday against the White Sox.
GettyEric Lauer could be in the Toronto Blue Jays rotation after the latest injury news.
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Eric Lauer Start Pushed Back Due to Illness
According to the report by Matheson, Eric Lauer will now start on Sunday due to an illness and feeling “under the weather”.
Eric Lauer was not thought to be in the starting rotation to start this season, but because of injuries to names like Jose Berrios, Trey Yesavage, and Shane Bieber to start the season, Lauer has already been called on to start.
In his first start this season, he pitched 5.1 innings and gave up two earned runs on three hits. Lauer struck out nine batters in his first start.
TORONTO, CANADA – MARCH 29: Eric Lauer #56 of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches in the first inning of their MLB game against the Athletics at Rogers Centre on March 29, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
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Other Blue Jays News
In other Blue Jays news, Trey Yesavage is starting a rehab assignment in Single-A today and will be back in the Jays’ rotation before Jose Berrios and Shane Bieber. Berrios is dealing with a stress fracture, and recent updates have been a bit vague on when his return might be.
PORT CHARLOTTE, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 27: Eric Lauer #56 of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches during the first inning of the spring training game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Charlotte Sports Park on February 27, 2026 in Port Charlotte, Florida. (Photo by Mark Taylor/Getty Images)
Back to Eric Lauer, this is a contract season for the 30-year-old lefty.
Over 15 starts and 28 total appearances last season, Lauer posted a 3.18 ERA and was so clutch for the Blue Jays during their successful stretch in August, September, and October.
It’s possible, if the Blue Jays’ starters get healthy soon, that Toronto thinks about trading Lauer, but with the early injury to newly acquired Cody Ponce, Lauer’s rotation spot might be more secure than it was a few weeks ago.
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