Eric Lauer Opts Out of Pirates Contract
According to John Dreker, LHP Eric Lauer has been granted his release by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Lauer inked a minor league contract with the Pirates on March 22nd. Because he signed late in spring training, it appeared unlikely that he would given a spot in the starting rotation.
The 28-year-old southpaw was assigned to AAA Indianapolis to begin 2024. In his first two appearances, he went multiple innings in a piggyback role to Paul Skenes. Since then, Lauer has pitched in six games as a starter with the Indians.
In March/April, the numbers for Lauer were solid, as he posted an ERA of 2.37, while holding opponents to a .238 batting average against. However, Lauer’s May so far has been very poor, giving up 13 earned runs in 10.1 innings (11.32 ERA), and allowing over two baserunners per inning (2.32 WHIP).
Lauer would have his shortest outing of the season for Indianapolis on Sunday, lasting only two innings, while surrendering six earned runs against the Louisville Bats.
Spending parts of six seasons in the bigs, with the San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers, Lauer has a career 4.30 ERA. His best year came in 2021, where he registered an ERA of 3.19, in 24 games with Milwaukee.