Addison Barger Back On Blue Jays' Injured List; Eric Lauer DFA'd

[Steve Drumwright]

 

The return of Addison Barger was unfortunately short.

The Toronto Blue Jays' right fielder went back on the 10-day injured list, this time with inflammation in his right elbow. Outfielder Yohendrick Pinango was called up from Triple-A Buffalo. Also, the Jays officially brought up right-handed reliever Yariel Rodriguez, a move reported Sunday, and designated left-hander Eric Lauer for assignment. The Blue Jays still have one opening on their 40-man roster.

Barger, who was activated off the IL Saturday following a sprained left ankle, was scratched from Sunday's lineup vs. the Los Angeles Angels. This followed a terrific throw in Saturday's game, a 101.2 mph outfield assist that was the fastest in MLB this season. Barger went 0-for-3 with a run scored Saturday against the Angels.

Pinanago had been sent down when Barger was activated. This came despite a slash line of .423/.444/.462 with four RBIs in 10 games.

Lauer was the casualty for the Jays calling up Rodriguez. In eight games, including six starts, Lauer had a 6.69 ERA in 36⅓ innings. He had walked 16 and struck out 26. His struggles this season were a stark contrast to the 3.18 ERA he posted in 28 appearances, including 15 starts, in 2025, his first season with the Jays. Lauer is being paid $4.4 million this season. If no one claims him off waivers, the Jays will be responsible for his salary, minus a prorated portion of the MLB minimum should he eventually sign elsewhere.

In his last appearance Sunday vs. the Angels, Lauer came on after an opener and pitched five innings, allowing six runs and three homers in five innings of a 6-1 loss.

 

View full rumor

[G-Snarls]

1. DAMN

2 YAY

[Steeljays17]

Lauer was doomed right after they had issues with arb in the offseason. I knew from there things were going to be an issue. Eric wasn't happy and it affected him. 
 

that's my 2 cents 

[Spanky__99]

On 5/12/2026 at 11:30 AM, Steeljays17 said:

Lauer was doomed right after they had issues with arb in the offseason. I knew from there things were going to be an issue. Eric wasn't happy and it affected him. 
 

that's my 2 cents 

I'll roll with him losing 3-4 MPH on his fastball with shoddy command as the reason he s*** the bed.

[rydermike]

 

 

[John_Havok]

47 minutes ago, rydermike said:

 

 

Why do the Dodgers trade for seemingly every Jays DFA guy?

Also... how do you trade a guy + cash to the f***ing Dodgers. They spend 800 million every year and they want cash? 😂

[glory]

I hope the media asks Lauer for his thoughts when the Dodgers use him out of the pen.