The Houston Astros announced that they’ve released starting pitcher Eric Lauer to pursue an opportunity with KBO’s Kia Tigers. Lauer had not pitched in an MLB game since 2023 with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Lauer, 29, was selected in the first round of the 2016 MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres. He made his MLB Debut in 2018, starting in 23 games, throwing to a 6-7 record, posting a 4.34 ERA, and striking out an even 100 batters in his rookie campaign. He would throw the whole year in the Padres rotation in 2019 before he was traded to the Brewers with Mexican infielder Luis Urias in exchange for Trent Grisham and Zach Davies.
Once joining the Brewers, Lauer struggled during the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic season, only making four appearances and two starts. He went 0-2 with a 13.09 ERA. But Lauer quickly turned things around the following two seasons, making 49 starts in 53 appearances with the Brew Crew. He compiled an 18-12 record, threw 277.1 innings, walked 100 batters, and struck out 274.
While his stats seemed promising heading into the 2023 season, he had agreed to a one-year $5.075 million contract with the Brewers to avoid salary arbitration. Making nine starts in 10 games, struggles would get the best of Lauer, holding him to a 4-6 record and a 6.53 ERA. Following his dismal season, he was removed from the Brewers 40-man roster and sent outright to Triple-A Nashville. Lauer declined his assignment and elected free agency in October.
In March 2024, Lauer signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Making only six starts, he put together a 5.52 ERA with 37 strikeouts. In May, he exercised his opt-out clause and was granted his release by the Pirates.
About four days after his release from the Pirates, the Astros quickly signed him to a minor league contract. Making ten starts in Triple-A Sugar Land, he pitched in 46 innings, striking out 49 batters, but his 5.09 ERA was concerning.
Now, Lauer heads overseas to join the Kia Tigers, currently in first place in the KBO with a 60-42-2 record. He’ll join former MLB pitchers Cam Alldred, Wil Crowe, and James Naile in their rotation, along with former MLB outfielder Socrates Brito. Can Eric Lauer follow in Erick Fedde’s footsteps?
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WBN MLB: https://worldbaseball.com/league/mlb/
WBN KBO: https://worldbaseball.com/league/south-korea/
Photo Credit: Eric Lauer #52 of the Milwaukee Brewers poses for a portrait during photo day at American Family Fields of Phoenix on February 22, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
