Lauer elected free agency Monday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
The Brewers understandably didn't want to give Lauer a raise via arbitration after he posted a 6.56 ERA and 1.67 WHIP over 46.2 innings this season. He's just 28 years old and posted a 3.84 ERA and 286:109 K:BB over 288.1 innings for Milwaukee from 2020-22, so the left-hander shouldn't have trouble finding another opportunity elsewhere.
... See More... See Less
Brewers' Eric Lauer: Outrighted to Nashville
Rotowire
Lauer cleared waivers Friday and was sent outright to Triple-A Nashville, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Lauer struggled to get things going with the Brewers in 2023, accumulating a 6.56 ERA and 1.67 WHIP over 46.2 innings in 10 appearances. He reserves the right to elect free agency, but other teams will likely have to see signs of improvement before giving Lauer another shot in a big-league rotation.
... See More... See Less
Brewers' Eric Lauer: Returns to minors
Rotowire
Lauer was optioned to the Arizona Complez League on Sunday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
Lauer was promoted Saturday for his first appearance in the big leagues since May, but he was tagged for three homers and eight earned runs by the Cubs. The left-hander began the season in the starting rotation but is a potential DFA candidate this offseason after he posted a 6.56 ERA over 46.2 innings for the Brewers this year.
... See More... See Less
Brewers' Eric Lauer: Hit hard in return
Rotowire
Lauer (4-6) took the loss Saturday, allowing eight runs on nine hits and four walks over four innings against the Cubs. He struck out two.
Chicago handed Lauer a rude welcome in his first big-league appearance since being demoted to Triple-A in June as the Cubs tallied six runs in the opening frame on three home runs. The 28-year-old southpaw surrendered two more scores in the fourth and will close the chapter on a disappointing 2023 campaign with a 4-6 record, 6.56 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 43:24 K:BB, while serving up 16 home runs in just 46.2 innings this season.
... See More... See Less
Brewers' Eric Lauer: Promotion official
Rotowire
The Brewers recalled Lauer from Triple-A Nashville to start Saturday against the Cubs.
Lauer will be making his first start in the majors since May 20, when he gave up six earned runs over three innings against the Rays. The 28-year-old southpaw put up a 5.48 ERA and 1.52 WHIP with the Brewers before being sent down to Nashville, where he recorded similar numbers. Though his numbers may not warrant a promotion, Lauer's arrival will help the Brewers keep Brandon Woodruff and Freddy Peralta fresh for the postseason. Clayton Andrews and Caleb Boushley were both optioned to the Arizona Complex League in corresponding moves.
... See More... See Less
Brewers' Eric Lauer: Back in bigs, starting Saturday
Rotowire
The Brewers will recall Lauer from Triple-A Nashville on Saturday to start their penultimate game of the regular season versus the Cubs at American Family Field, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
After opening the season as the Brewers' No. 3 starter, Lauer posted a 5.48 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 41:20 K:BB over 42.2 innings across his first nine appearances (eight starts) with the big club before landing on the 15-day injured list May 22 with an impingement in his non-throwing shoulder and then getting optioned to the minors once activated June 13. Following his reinstatement from the IL, Lauer spent several weeks at the Brewers' complex in Arizona before returning to minor-league action in late July. He eventually moved on to Triple-A Nashville and turned in his best start of the season in his most recent outing Sept. 22, striking out 10 while allowing four earned runs on six hits and two walks over seven innings. Lauer will now get the chance to make his first start with the Brewers since May, and though he doesn't look to be a realistic option for the team's postseason pitching staff, a positive showing Saturday could help him land a big-league deal elsewhere this winter. The 28-year-old southpaw is set for a raise in arbitration from the $5.08 million salary he earned in 2023, and the Brewers are likely to non-tender him and allow him to explore his options in free agency.
... See More... See Less
Brewers' Eric Lauer: Makes start in rookie ball
Rotowire
Lauer struck out two batters and gave up no hits and one walk in a one-inning start Friday for the Brewers' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate.
The one-inning outing was Lauer's first at any level since June 11, when he made his last start at Triple-A Nashville before being placed on the temporary inactive list due to an undisclosed health issue. Lauer may have used the time off to workshop his mechanics, after he had struggled to keep the ball in the yard over his nine outings with Milwaukee (13 home runs in 42.2 innings) prior to landing on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder impingement. Lauer continued to struggle in his two rehab starts with Nashville before he was activated from the IL and optioned to the minors. The veteran southpaw may make a few more appearances in Arizona before eventually reporting back to Nashville.
... See More... See Less
Brewers' Eric Lauer: Optioned after coming off IL
Rotowire
Milwaukee reinstated Lauer (shoulder) off the 10-day injured list and optioned him to Triple-A Nashville on Thursday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. "We want to get him right, to be healthy and be a contributor," Brewers general manager Matt Arnold said.
Lauer was placed on the 15-day injured list May 22 with an impingement in his non-throwing shoulder, and the southpaw struggled in his rehab start Sunday with Nashville, allowing seven runs (five earned) in two innings. Lauer was an effective part of the Milwaukee rotation in 2022, but he'll remain in the PCL until the Brewers deem him worthy of a roster spot again this summer.
... See More... See Less
Brewers' Eric Lauer: Lit up in second rehab start
Rotowire
Lauer (shoulder) was charged with seven runs (five earned) on eight hits and two walks while striking out one batter in a two-inning rehab start Sunday with Triple-A Nashville.
Lauer needed 69 pitches just to record his six outs and has now been battered for 11 runs (seven earned) on 12 hits and four walks over 4.2 innings in his first two rehab starts with Nashville. Though Lauer hasn't suffered from any reported setbacks while out on the farm, the poor results he's shown thus far could lead the Brewers to move him to the bullpen whenever he's deemed ready to return from the 15-day injured list.
... See More... See Less
Brewers' Eric Lauer: Beginning rehab assignment Tuesday
Rotowire
Lauer (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
Lauer expects to make a couple of outings with Nashville before he'll be ready to return from the 15-day injured list, according to McCalvy . The left-hander was placed on the IL on May 22 due to an impingement of his non-throwing shoulder and logged a 5.48 ERA and 1.52 WHIP over 42.2 innings across nine appearances (eight starts) prior to being deactivated.
... See More... See Less
Brewers' Eric Lauer: Lands on IL with shoulder injury
Rotowire
Milwaukee placed Lauer on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder impingement.
If there's good news here, it's that the injury is to Lauer's non-throwing shoulder. Still, it's unclear at this point how long he might be sidelined, and the Brewers' rotation depth had already been hit hard by injuries. Lauer had been slated to start Thursday against the Giants, but Milwaukee will have to find someone else to take the ball that day.
... See More... See Less
Brewers' Eric Lauer: Struggles in return to rotation
Rotowire
Lauer (4-5) took the loss Saturday, allowing six runs on six hits and two walks over three innings against Tampa Bay. He struck out two.
Lauer had troubles with the long ball Saturday, giving up homers to Harold Ramirez in the first, Yandy Diaz in the second and Christian Bethancourt in the fourth to tie his season high in runs allowed. Saturday's outing also marked Lauer's third straight appearance giving up multiple home runs while being the first time all season he struck out less than four batters. Though Lauer struggled with one of the top offenses in baseball, he should have a much easier time in his next projected start when he takes on the Giants, who strike out 9.6 times per game.
... See More... See Less
Brewers' Eric Lauer: Re-enters rotation
Rotowire
Lauer will start Saturday's game against the Rays in Tampa Bay, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
After working 5.1 innings in relief in his most recent appearance against Kansas City on May 14, Lauer will take back his spot in the rotation from Colin Rea, who was optioned to Triple-A Nashville after starting that day's game. With Rea having since been recalled after Wade Miley (lat/rib) was placed on the 15-day injured list, however, the Brewers look as though they'll have room for both Lauer and Rea in the rotation moving forward. Lauer enters Saturday's contest sporting a 4.54 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 39:18 K:BB across 39.2 innings for the season.
... See More... See Less
Brewers' Eric Lauer: Will pitch out of bullpen
Rotowire
Lauer will pitch out of the bullpen for now and is available for Saturday's game against the Royals, Sophia Minnaert of Bally Sports Wisconsin reports.
Lauer has struggled over his last three starts, with the left-hander not getting out of the fifth inning and allowing at least four runs in each of those outings. It appears Colin Rea will take Lauer's place in the rotation, with Rea now scheduled to start Saturday against Kansas City. Lauer could return to the rotation at some point, but for now he won't provide much fantasy relevance in a multi-inning relief role.
... See More... See Less
Brewers' Eric Lauer: Roughed up in third straight loss
Rotowire
Lauer (3-4) took the loss Tuesday, allowing four runs on four hits and two walks over 3.2 innings against the Dodgers. He struck out four.
Lauer gave up a solo shot on the second pitch of the game to Mookie Betts. After his first time through the order, the Brewers trailed 3-0. Lauer picked wins in three of his first four starts, but he has not gotten through five innings in his last three outings. He's allowed 12 runs in his last three starts, though just seven of them are earned. Lauer's ERA sits at 4.72 with 33 strikeouts in 34.1 innings after seven starts.
... See More... See Less
Brewers' Eric Lauer: Takes third loss of season
Rotowire
Lauer (3-3) took the loss Wednesday, allowing four runs (none earned) on four hits and four walks over 4.2 innings against Colorado. He struck out six.
Lauer was victimized by shoddy defense, as Milwaukee third baseman Mike Brosseau made a costly error that led to Colorado's four-run fourth inning. Despite the loss, this was actually the southpaw's first time not allowing any earned runs in a start this year. The 27-year-old is tentatively slated to face the Dodgers at home in his next start.
... See More... See Less
Brewers' Eric Lauer: Cleared to start Wednesday
Rotowire
Lauer (finger) is listed as the Brewers' probable starting pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Rockies at Coors Field.
Lauer tore the nail on his left middle finger during his most recent start last Tuesday against the Tigers, but the issue won't prevent him from missing a turn through the rotation. Instead, the Brewers are just opting to give him an additional day off between starts, as Freddy Peralta has leapfrogged Lauer in the pitching schedule and will take the hill for the series opener in Colorado on Tuesday. Through five starts this season, Lauer has gone 3-2 with a 5.19 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 23:10 K:BB across 26 innings.
... See More... See Less
Brewers' Eric Lauer: Tears nail during start
Rotowire
Lauer tore the nail on his left middle finger in a loss to the Pirates on Tuesday, but he doesn't expect to miss a start,Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
Lauer struggled over three innings by allowing four runs on eight hits, and he was visited by a team trainer during the long second inning. The southpaw didn't blame the tear for his command issues, but it clearly didn't help. For now, it seems very likely that Lauer will make his next scheduled start, but if there are any side effects it's possible he'll be pushed back a day or two.
... See More... See Less
Brewers' Eric Lauer: Labors through three frames
Rotowire
Lauer (3-2) took the loss Tuesday versus the Tigers, allowing four runs on eight hits and two walks in three innings. He struck out four.
The left-hander needed 85 pitches to record just nine outs, with Detroit scoring all four of its runs during a 40-pitch second inning. It's been boom or bust through five starts for Lauer this year, as he's given up 10 earned runs in his two losses but has a 2.37 ERA across 19 frames in his three victories.
... See More... See Less
Brewers' Eric Lauer: Nabs third victory
Rotowire
Lauer (3-1) earned the win over Seattle on Wednesday, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk over 7.2 innings. He struck out four batters.
Lauer surrendered a two-run homer to Julio Rodriguez in the third inning, but that was the only time the Mariners managed to score off him. The veteran maneuvered through a season-high 7.2 frames on 93 pitches to notch his second straight quality start. While Lauer's season ERA sits at an uninspiring 4.30, that's largely skewed by a four-inning, six-run outing against St. Louis on April 8. In his other three starts (all victories), Lauer has yielded just five earned runs across 19 frames.
