John Schneider fires back at Eric Lauer with blunt pay grade remark

That was the sharp follow-up Toronto needed after Lauer said Friday that he hated pitching behind an opener and could not stand how it threw off his routine.

Schneider did not dance around it. He said he respects everyone's opinion, then pointed straight at the line Lauer used himself.

“I know the end of his quote was ‘It's above my pay grade,' and it's definitely above his pay grade how we use him. We're trying to win.” Schneider also said the two talked and that Lauer is now “on board.”

That is a manager drawing the line in public. Schneider did not bury Lauer, but he did make sure the clubhouse understood who sets the pitching plan and why.

The whole thing started because Toronto used Braydon Fisher as an opener Friday against Arizona, with Lauer following for the bulk innings in the Blue Jays' second bullpen day of the season.

Lauer's frustration was easy to read. He said starters are creatures of habit, and the opener setup messed with the pre-game routine he prefers.

This is why Schneider's response matters. It was not only about one postgame quote. It was about protecting the club's ability to move arms around when the staff is already under strain. That is an inference based on Toronto using bullpen games and mixing roles early this season.

Lauer is not some mop-up arm with no standing. MLB.com wrote in March that he was in the mix for rotation work again, which helps explain why he viewed Friday's role as more than a small adjustment.

But Schneider's side is easy to see, too. Fisher entered Friday with a 0.93 ERA and 12 strikeouts in 9.2 innings, so Toronto was not handing the first inning to a random reliever.

That gives the manager cover. If the Blue Jays believe an opener gives them a better shot to grab the early innings, Schneider is going to keep that option on the table no matter how comfortable it feels for one pitcher.

The bigger piece now is what comes next. Schneider said Lauer is on board, which means Toronto gets a chance to cool this off before it becomes a bigger clubhouse issue.

Still, the message landed hard. Eric Lauer spoke like a starter guarding his routine. John Schneider answered like a manager guarding the lineup card, the bullpen, and every decision he thinks gives the Blue Jays the best chance to win.