This Milwaukee Breweries are in desperate need of starting pitchers. Since the start of the 2024 MLB season, they have ruled out Brandon Woodruff, Wade Miley and Robert Gasser for this year. Starting pitchers DL Hall, Joe Ross and Jakob Junis (who was recently traded to the Cincinnati Reds) have also spent time on the injured list.
When it was announced that former Brewers left-hander Eric Lauer had been released by the Houston Astros, some fans were clamoring for Milwaukee to bring him back. Despite the fact that Lauer was 4-6 with a 6.56 ERA for the Brewers last year, fans are in desperate need of a starting pitcher, and Lauer has had some success in Milwaukee.
However, it doesn’t appear that Milwaukee (or any other MLB team) is interested in Lauer’s services.
Former Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Eric Lauer heading to KBO
Before the season, Lauer signed a contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. However, when he was not called up to the Major League roster by the deadline specified in his contract, he decided to become a free agent. He signed with the Astros shortly thereafter.
Houston recently decided to release Lauer, who was 2-3 with a 5.09 ERA in 11 games (10 starts) for their Triple-A team. With Triple-A Pittsburgh, Lauer was 2-2 with a 5.52 ERA in eight games (six starts).
According to MLB Trade RumorsThe former Brewers pitcher has decided to play for the Kia Tigers of the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO):
“Astros release left-hander Eric Laurerwho was with the Triple-A club in Sugar Land, according to the transaction log on MiLB.comThis appears to pave the way for the former Brewers and Padres player to sign with the Korea Baseball Organization. According to KBO reporter Daniel Kim“Lauer to sign with Kia Tigers for remainder of 2024 season”
Lauer is likely hoping to replicate the success of Brewers target Erick Fedde, who was just traded by the Chicago White Sox to the St. Louis Cardinals. Entering Friday’s game, Fedde was 7-4 on the season with a 3.11 ERA. He spent last year in the KBO, where he was 20-6 with a 2.00 ERA.
The Brewers reportedly tried to acquire Fedde from the White Sox before the trade deadline but were outbid by St. Louis.
Eric Lauer’s Milwaukee Brewers Career
Lauer was first acquired by the Brewers, along with Luis Urias, as part of the trade that sent Zach Davies and Trent Grisham to the San Diego Padres.
Lauer was 22-20 with a 4.22 ERA in four seasons in Milwaukee. His best season was 2021, when injuries limited him to 24 games (20 starts). However, this season he was 7-5 with a 3.11 ERA and struck out 117 batters in 118.2 innings.
Lauer also had a good 2022, making 29 starts, going 11-7 with a 3.69 ERA and 157 strikeouts in 158.2 innings.
The left-hander struggled with injuries and control last season, though. In addition to his aforementioned struggles with the Major League club, he was 3-4 with a 5.19 ERA for the Nashville Sounds.
Let’s hope he manages to resolve any technical issues he has encountered while performing abroad.
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