[Sports Chosun Na Yuri Reporter] Eric Lauer, who previously played for the KIA Tigers, was ultimately released by the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Toronto organization placed the pitcher on outright waivers on the 12th (Korean time). This season, Lauer struggled in 8 games (6 starts), posting a 1-5 record with an ERA of 6.69. The decisive game was the 11th against the LA Angels. Lauer pitched 5 innings out of the bullpen but allowed 6 runs, showing poor form, and gave up a staggering 3 home runs. He ultimately became the losing pitcher. After starter Spencer Miles was pulled after 3 innings, the Toronto bench chose Lauer as the third pitcher, tasking him alone to cover 5 innings without further bullpen usage. However, the game was not tightly contested, as Toronto trailed 1-0. Lauer’s collapse under 3 home runs, however, led to a disappointing performance, prompting the team to make a decision after the game.

U.S. media reported that Lauer’s excessively public complaints about the team were decisive.

Lauer, who joined the KIA in the second half of the 2024 season and shared the Korean Series championship, failed to re-sign and returned to the U.S. Last year, he secured a spot on Toronto’s major league roster and played a key role in the bullpen, even reaching the World Series with the team.

However, conflicts began during the offseason. Dissatisfied with the team’s salary structure, Lauer filed for salary arbitration but lost, and he was pushed out of the starting rotation after the team signed Cody Ponce and others. In this situation, Lauer publicly vented frustrations about the manager in interviews, stating he could not accept being used as a reliever.

The Toronto Sun scathingly criticized, “A sullen attitude toward the team, poor performance, complaints about his role, and excessive home runs allowed. Toronto had enough of Lauer.” It added, “A pitcher who played a key role in last year’s championship disappeared a quarter into this season. Perhaps it was for the best.”

It continued, “Lauer was placed on outright waivers after the 11th game against the Angels. Even with many injured players, his poor performance meant no more opportunities.” Manager John Schneider explained simply, “We released him due to performance. It was a difficult conversation because of what he showed last year. We had disagreements in many areas this season. We decided to part ways. That’s all.”

Regarding Lauer’s dissatisfaction over salary arbitration and role assignments, Schneider stated coldly, “This is a business. When things don’t go as planned, act like an adult and find another path. Go out and compete.” He emphasized that Lauer lacked competitiveness based on skill alone.