As the Toronto Blue Jays prepare to open a weekend series against the Miami Marlins, the club has made a surprising — and arguably controversial — change to its starting rotation. Despite being one of the team’s most effective arms in 2025, left-handed pitcher **Eric Lauer** is being moved to the bullpen, at least for now.
The decision comes as the team prepares for the **season debut of Shane Bieber**, the former American League Cy Young winner recently acquired at the trade deadline from the Cleveland Guardians. Bieber, who has missed the entire 2025 season so far recovering from **Tommy John surgery**, is scheduled to start Friday’s series opener against Miami.
Toronto has been on a strong run since the All-Star break, building momentum and climbing the AL standings with consistent offensive production and solid pitching. Bieber’s return was expected to shake up the rotation, but few predicted it would be **Eric Lauer** who lost his spot — especially given how dominant he’s been in recent months.
Lauer has been nothing short of outstanding. In **88 innings pitched**, he’s posted an **8-2 record** with a **2.67 ERA**, stabilizing a rotation that has struggled with consistency and injuries throughout the first half of the year. The lefty’s strong performances have often served as a much-needed lift for Toronto, making his move to the bullpen all the more surprising.
The Blue Jays, however, are optimistic about **Bieber’s readiness**. His rehab outings in the minors have reportedly been impressive, with a noted increase in velocity and sharp command — traits that mirror his Cy Young-winning form. Team officials clearly feel confident enough to insert him directly into the rotation without easing him in through shorter appearances or bullpen work.
While the move may not be permanent, it does reflect Toronto’s current mindset: maximizing its talent and playoff chances, even if it means making unconventional decisions. The club hasn’t ruled out rotating Lauer back into the starting five, depending on performance, matchups, and how Bieber fares in his first few starts.
From a strategic standpoint, Lauer could become a **valuable bullpen weapon**, offering long relief or being deployed in high-leverage left-on-left matchups. His ability to go multiple innings out of the pen could also give manager John Schneider added flexibility — especially with a taxed bullpen in late summer.
Still, it’s not the kind of decision that goes unnoticed. For fans and analysts alike, the move raises questions about how much trust Toronto is putting in a pitcher who hasn’t thrown a big-league pitch in over a year, even if that pitcher is Shane Bieber.
The Blue Jays are betting on upside and postseason potential. Whether that gamble pays off remains to be seen, but for now, **Eric Lauer’s role changes** despite being one of the most reliable arms in the rotation all season.
Stay tuned this pitching shuffle could be just the beginning as Toronto eyes October.