The Milwaukee Brewers are in desperate need of starting pitching. Since the 2024 MLB season began, they have ruled out Brandon Woodruff, Wade Miley, and Robert Gasser for the 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 called 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 desperate for some starting pitching, and Lauer had seen some success in Milwaukee.
However, it does not sound like Milwaukee (or any MLB team for that matter) is interested in Lauer’s services.
Former Milwaukee Brewers Pitcher Eric Lauer Is Headed to the KBO
Prior to the season, Lauer signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates. However, when he failed to receive a call-up to the Major League roster by the date specified in his contract, he elected to become a free agent. Soon after, he signed with the Astros.
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 Pittsburgh’s Triple-A team, Lauer was 2-2 with a 5.52 ERA in eight games (six starts).
According to MLB Trade Rumors, the former Brewers hurler has decided to pursue an opportunity with the Kia Tigers of the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO):
“The Astros released left-hander Eric Lauer, who’d been with their Triple-A club in Sugar Land, per the transaction log at MiLB.com. It seems that’ll pave the way for the former Brewers and Padres hurler to sign in the Korea Baseball Organization. Per KBO reporter Daniel Kim, Lauer will sign a deal with the Kia Tigers for the remainder of the 2024 campaign.”
Lauer, perhaps, is hoping to repeat the success of Brewers trade target Erick Fedde, who was just traded by the Chicago White Sox to the St. Louis Cardinals. Entering play on Friday, Fedde was 7-4 on the season with a 3.11 ERA. He spent last year in KBO where he was 20-6 with a 2.00 ERA.
Per a report, the Brewers had tried to acquire Fedde from the White Sox at the trade deadline but were outbid by St. Louis.
Eric Lauer’s Career with the Milwaukee Brewers
Lauer was first acquired by the Brewers, along with Luis Urias, in the trade that sent Zach Davies and Trent Grisham to the San Diego Padres.
In four seasons with Milwaukee, Lauer was 22-20 with a 4.22 ERA. His best season by have been the 2021 season, a year that some injuries limited him to 24 games (20 starts). However, he was 7-5 with a 3.11 ERA that season and struck out 117 batters in 118.2 innings.
2022 was a good year for Lauer, too. He made 29 starts, going 11-7 with a 3.69 ERA and 157 strikeouts in 158.2 innings.
Last season, though, saw the left-hander struggle with injuries and control. In addition to his aforementioned struggles with the Major League club, he was 3-4 with a 5.19 ERA for the Nashville Sounds.
Hopefully he can fix whatever mechanical issues he is having playing overseas.
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