The Toronto Blue Jays kicked off their Grapefruit League season with excitement, marking the beginning of their spring training. Eric Lauer took to the mound in the opener, showcasing his potential as he aims to secure a spot in the Blue Jays’ rotation.
Eric Lauer’s Spring Training Debut
In Saturday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Lauer pitched a clean inning. He allowed one hit and recorded a strikeout. After the game, he expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “I was just too excited.” His performance reflects the importance of this spring for Lauer, as he is set to enter free agency at the end of the season.
Key Challenges Ahead
This spring holds significance for Lauer. Last year, he contributed 15 valuable starts before transitioning to the bullpen for the final month of the season. That shift, while beneficial for the team, affected his individual standing in arbitration.
Lauer lost an arbitration case against the Blue Jays, resulting in a $4.4 million salary instead of his requested $5.75 million. He credits this outcome partially to his late-season role change, stating, “The fact that I ended the year in the bullpen is probably what lost me my case.” His aim this spring is to demonstrate his capabilities as a starter, targeting a return to a traditional workload.
Blue Jays Manager’s Insight
Manager John Schneider emphasized the importance of Lauer’s preparation as a starter. “We told him we want to stretch him out like a traditional starter,” Schneider noted. The plan is to work towards a pitch count of around 75 by the end of spring training.
Other Noteworthy Player Performances
In addition to Lauer, Kazuma Okamoto made his Grapefruit League debut, showcasing his skills at third base. He completed a well-executed play during the game and is currently adapting to North American baseball after signing a four-year, $60 million deal with the Blue Jays.
Okamoto is also preparing to represent Japan in the World Baseball Classic (WBC), which will interrupt his spring training. He praised the guidance he has received from teammates, including Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and George Springer.
Emerging Pitchers
- Tyler Rogers demonstrated his consistency, leading all relievers since 2020 with 403 games and 406.1 innings. His strong performance in the opening game reaffirmed the team’s investment in him, having been guaranteed $37 million over three years.
- Adam Macko made his Grapefruit League debut after recovering from knee surgery. He clocked in at 97.4 m.p.h. during his outing, signaling a promising start for the Canadian pitcher.
As spring training progresses, the performances of players like Lauer and Rogers will be pivotal for the Blue Jays’ strategy moving forward. They aim to finalize their roster and strengthen their rotation ahead of the regular season.
