Baseball is just around the corner.
The Toronto Blue Jays will open their spring training schedule this weekend, and on Thursday, manager John Schneider announced who will start the first two games.
Veteran left-hander Eric Lauer will get the ball Saturday against the Philadelphia Phillies, while right-handed prospect Fernando Perez will start Sunday on the road against the Boston Red Sox.
Both games will begin at 1:05 p.m. ET/ 10:05 a.m. PT and will be available on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
Lauer joined the Blue Jays on a minor league deal in 2024 but became an important contributor last season as other starters dealt with injuries. He made 15 starts for the Blue Jays in 2025 and 28 total appearances, posting a 9-2 record and 3.18 ERA.
Perez, 22, made 20 starts with high-A Vancouver and six starts with double-A New Hampshire in 2025. Across both levels, he posted a 3.04 ERA with 105 strikeouts and 28 walks across 121 1/3 innings. He was the Blue Jays’ No. 17 prospect according to MLB Pipeline in 2025.
