Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Eric Lauer criticized the team’s decision to use an opener before his latest start.
The Blue Jays used reliever Braydon Fisher as an opener for Lauer during Friday night’s 6-3 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks. After Fisher pitched a scoreless first inning, Lauer went five innings, giving up five hits and three earned runs, while taking the loss. Lauer’s 2026 stats now show him holding a 1-3 record with a 7.13 ERA, one of the highest ERAs in baseball this season.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Lauer ripped the team apart for their decision to use an opener. This is not the first time Lauer has been openly critical of the Blue Jays, as he questioned the way the team utilized him last year, too.
“To be real blunt, I hate it. I can’t stand it…”
Lauer said that it messes with his pre-game routine, as starters are “creatures of habit.”
“Hopefully it’s not something that we will continue doing, but that’s above my pay grade.” #BlueJays
“It’s definitely different. To be really blunt, I hate it. I can’t stand it. You work with what you’ve got. I think part of it is that we’re trying to mix things up and find ways to win. I think it’s a game plan that we had. We went there and tried to execute it the best we could,” Lauer said, while noting that starting pitchers are “creatures of habit.”
Lauer hopes the Blue Jays do not use an opener again, saying that, “hopefully it’s not something that we will continue doing, but that’s above my pay grade.”
Eric Lauer Lost to the Blue Jays in Arbitration
Lauer was signed to a minor-league contract by the Blue Jays last year, and he turned in a terrific season as a swingman for the team, pitching in 28 games with a 3.18 ERA while posting 2.2 bWAR.
Following a strong season last year, Lauer decided to exercise his right to file for arbitration after he was unable to agree on a new contract with the Blue Jays for his final season of team control. Lauer asked for $5.75 million, while the team countered at $4.4 million. Instead of meeting in the middle, the team and player went to an arbitrator, and the neutral third party sided with the team.
Anytime a player goes to arbitration, bad feelings tend to linger, as these hearings are not exactly pleasant, with the team looking to poke holes in the player’s statistics and performance. With the Blue Jays winning the arbitration hearing, they no doubt raised concerns about Lauer’s 2025 performance, something which naturally bothered the player.
Blue Jays Have Struggled to Open 2026
The Blue Jays made it to the World Series last season, losing a Game 7 heartbreaker to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Despite that crushing defeat, there was plenty of optimism heading into this season as the Jays signed starting pitcher Dylan Cease, swingman Cody Ponce, third baseman Kazuma Okamoto, reliever Tyler Rogers, and others in an effort to make it back to the show.
Unfortunately for the Blue Jays, this season has not gone as expected thus far. The Blue Jays hold a 7-12 record through the first 19 games of the year, as they are currently in the basement of the American League East. In addition to poor performances from their rostered players, the Blue Jays have dealt with numerous injuries, as they have several stars on the injured list, including designated hitter George Springer, outfielder Addison Barger, catcher Alejandro Kirk, outfielder Anthony Santander, plus pitchers Shane Bieber, Jose Berrios, Yimi Garcia, Bowden Francis, and Trey Yesavage. Additionally, Ponce tore his ACL in his first start of the season and is out for the year, encapsulating what a cursed year it has been so far for the team.
Eric Lauer Criticizes Decision by Blue Jays to Use Opener