The 29-year-old southpaw was released by the Astros in early August and latched on with the Kia Tigers in the Korea Baseball Organization where he went on to spin 34 2/3 innings of 4.93 ERA, 1.36 WHIP baseball with a 37/12 K/BB ratio across seven starts. Lauer had plenty of success with the Brewers at the big league level in 2021 and 2022, so the Jays are hoping that he can return to that form. Either way, you can never have enough pitching and Lauer makes for a quality depth addition.

Lauer was released by the Astros earlier this week. He started the year in the Pirates organization before signing a minor league contract with Houston in May. He had a 5.26 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 86/31 SO/BB ratio in 75 1/3 innings at the Triple-A level this year. Lauer’s deal with the Kia Tigers is for the remainder of the 2024 season, according to Kim.

It’s pretty telling that Lauer never wound up getting the call to bolster Houston’s injury-ravaged starting rotation after signing a minor league pact back in late May. The 29-year-old lefty hasn’t pitched in the big leagues this season and holds a lackluster 5.26 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 86/31 K/BB ratio across 75 1/3 innings (19 appearances, 16 starts) this season at the Triple-A level.

Lauer did not pitch well in eight appearances for the Pirates organization this year, posting a 5.52 ERA in eight appearances in Triple-A (six starts), striking out 37 and walking 11 in 29 1/3 innings. However, he has been a solid MLB pitcher with a 4.30 career ERA, so the Astros will look to recapture some of that magic and provide potential rotation help with Hunter Brown and Spencer Arrighetti both struggling.