The Blue Jays‘ brief flirtation with a six-man rotation is over.
Eric Lauer has been sent to the bullpen as Toronto moves to a traditional five-man unit, including Shane Bieber, Kevin Gausman, Max Scherzer, Chris Bassitt and Jose Berrios, manager John Schneider announced Monday.
Bassitt, Berrios and Bieber are lined up for the series against the Cincinnati Reds beginning Monday, while Gausman, Scherzer and Bassitt will face the New York Yankees in a weekend set.
Toronto’s rotation has been a question mark since Bieber, who was acquired from the Cleveland Guardians at the trade deadline, made his return from Tommy John Surgery in mid-August.
The Blue Jays have been running a modified six-man loop ever since, though Lauer has received just one start, struggling to the tune of eight runs (six earned) allowed over 4.2 innings against the Minnesota Twins, including four home runs.
For the season, however, Lauer has been a pleasant surprise. Over 21 games (15 starts), he holds an 8-2 record, 3.21 ERA and 1.13 WHIP.
Now, he’ll be relied upon as a third lefty in the bullpen alongside Brendon Little and Easton Lucas. Lauer can also provide length to a relief corps that’s been battered by underperformance in recent weeks.
Toronto begins its series against the Reds with a 1:10 p.m. ET / 10:10 a.m. PT first pitch for Labour Day on Monday.
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