Reds Acquire Veteran Pitcher Eric Lauer in Emergency Trade

Cincinnati makes move to bolster rotation after Hunter Greene injury

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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With the news that Cincinnati Reds ace Hunter Greene will miss the first half of the season due to elbow surgery, the team has made an emergency trade to acquire veteran left-handed pitcher Eric Lauer from the Toronto Blue Jays. The Reds sent reliever Graham Ashcraft to Toronto in the deal, which will provide Cincinnati with a proven starter to help keep them competitive while they await Greene's return.

Why it matters

The Reds are considered a contender in the NL Central, but the loss of Greene is a major blow. Acquiring the experienced Lauer, who posted a 3.18 ERA last season, gives them a reliable arm to stabilize the rotation until Greene can come back.

The details

According to reports, the Reds will acquire Lauer, who is set to make $4.4 million this season, in exchange for reliever Graham Ashcraft. Lauer, who is in the final year of his contract, has been unhappy in Toronto and the deal works for both sides. The Reds view Lauer as a "swingman" who can start or pitch out of the bullpen once Greene returns from injury.

  • On March 11, 2026, the Reds announced that ace Hunter Greene will miss the first half of the season due to elbow surgery.
  • The Reds made the trade to acquire Eric Lauer from the Blue Jays on March 11, 2026, just ahead of Opening Day.

The players

Hunter Greene

The Reds' All-Star ace pitcher who will miss the first half of the 2026 season due to elbow surgery.

Eric Lauer

A veteran left-handed starting pitcher acquired by the Reds from the Toronto Blue Jays to help fill the void left by Greene's injury.

Graham Ashcraft

A right-handed reliever who the Reds traded to the Blue Jays as part of the deal to acquire Lauer.

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What they’re saying

“Lauer is an ideal swingman for the Reds to roster, and he wouldn't cost that much.”

— Zachary Rotman, FanSided Writer (FanSided)

What’s next

The Reds will look to get Lauer integrated into the rotation quickly as they try to tread water until Greene can return from injury, likely in the second half of the season.

The takeaway

This trade represents a savvy move by the Reds to address a major injury setback to their rotation. Acquiring the experienced Lauer on a reasonable one-year deal gives them a reliable starter to help keep them in contention until their ace Greene can make his return.