The Blue Jays will run their second bullpen day of the season — Mason Fluharty opened a 6-3 loss to the Chicago White Sox on April 4 — with Eric Lauer in line to pitch bulk innings after Fisher.
A 25-year-old sophomore, Fisher had a strong rookie year with the Blue Jays, tallying a 2.70 ERA with 62 strikeouts and 19 walks over 50 innings, while leading the team with a 22.3 per cent strikeout-minus-walk rate.
So far, that success has carried over to 2026, as Fisher has a 0.93 ERA with 12 strikeouts and only one walk over 9.2 innings to start the season.
Lauer, 30, struggled in his last start against the Minnesota Twins, allowing seven runs and 10 baserunners over 5.1 innings of work.
Using an opener aims to have a reliever face the best hitters at the top of an opposing team’s lineup once, that way the starter or “bulk guy” who follows can navigate the order while having to face the top one less time.
The Blue Jays are looking to bounce back after a series loss to the Milwaukee Brewers — their fifth straight after their opening-series win over the Athletics.