Blue Jays DFA Eric Lauer with Yariel Rodriguez to take over his role in rotation
Lauer's May 10 meltdown performance was the last straw for the 30-year-old after giving up six earned runs, including three home runs.
www.yardbarker.comHere’s the latest on Eric Lauer and the Blue Jays DFA situation:
- The Blue Jays designated left-hander Eric Lauer for assignment in May 2026, as part of a series of roster moves surrounding injuries and bullpen/depth shuffles. This move came after a rough stretch on the mound that included a rough outing against the Angels. [Heavy.com: May 10–11, 2026 coverage; Yardbarker summary][1][3]
- In the same set of moves, Toronto added Yariel Rodríguez to the active roster and recalled Yohendrick Piñango, while Addison Barger's health update kept him on the 10-day IL with elbow inflammation. The DFA of Lauer was framed by the team as a results-driven decision. [Heavy.com: May 10, 2026; Yardbarker: May 10–11, 2026][3][1]
- Earlier offseason coverage suggested Lauer could be squeezed out of a rotation role due to depth additions and the team’s plans for a longer-term rotation, which contextualizes the May DFA as part of a larger roster strategy. [Heavy.com: January 1, 2026][2]
Illustration example:
- If you’d like, I can create a quick chart of 2026 Blue Jays pitcher usage around the DFA period (pre/post DFA) with hit rate, ERA, and appearances to visualize the change in usage.