Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Eric Lauer (COVID-19) is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day, per Brewers manager Craig Counsell.
Lauer is still building up his arm after arriving late to summer camp workouts due to coming into contact with someone who had coronavirus. Counsell indicated that the 25-year-old left-hander should be ready soon, but it's not clear what role Lauer will have when active. He was expected to compete for the No. 5 spot in the Brewers' rotation. Lauer owns a 4.40 ERA and 20.6 strikeout percentage through 261 2/3 innings (53 games, 52 starts) over his first two seasons in the majors.
Operating under the assumption Lauer is ready by next week, numberFire's models expect Lauer to record a 4.62 ERA and 1.40 WHIP with 47 strikeouts and 18 walks over 50 2/3 innings this season.
Source: Tom Haudricourt (@Haudricourt)