Lauer was optioned to the Brewers' alternate training site Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Lauer was effective in his first appearance this season, but he struggled mightily in his two most recent starts, allowing 13 runs on 14 hits and five walks while striking out four over 6.2 innings. As a result, he'll head to the alternate training site to work on improving. He could return to the majors at some point in 2020 if he can turn things around in Appleton. Drew Rasmussen's contract was selected by the Brewers on Thursday, and he's a candidate to take Lauer's spot in the starting rotation for now.

Lauer (0-2) allowed seven runs on nine hits and two walks over 3.2 innings in a loss to the Twins on Wednesday. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Lauer also hit Nelson Cruz with a pitch in the disastrous outing. The 25-year-old Lauer has given up 13 runs over just 6.2 innings in his last two starts. The southpaw could be at risk of losing his spot in the rotation to Corbin Burnes. If Lauer gets another start, it would likely come in a rematch with the Twins on Tuesday.

Lauer is scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Twins, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

The left-hander had an ugly performance in his first start of the season Friday with six runs allowed over three innings, but he'll receive at least one more turn through the rotation. Lauer may need a better performance Wednesday to retain the starting role, as Corbin Burnes is fully stretched out and delivered 5.1 innings of stellar relief in Saturday's contest.

Lauer (0-1) allowed six runs on five hits and three walks over three innings in a loss to the Reds on Friday. He struck out two batters.

EDGE Analysis

The Reds entered the night with zero runs scored in their last 22.1 innings, but the offense found reprieve against Lauer, who was making his first start in a Brewers uniform. All of the damage was done in the second inning; Cincinnati went walk, single, flyout, double, sac fly, double, walk, homer against Lauer. Part of the Trent Grisham-Luis Urias trade, Lauer made his team debut July 26 and fanned six while allowing just one hit over 2.2 scoreless innings against the Cubs. The lefty will likely transition back to the bullpen for the time being with the Brewers ostensibly healthy in the rotation.

Lauer will start Friday's game against the Reds, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 25-year-old entered summer camp in competition for a spot in the starting rotation, but a trip the injured list interrupted that opportunity and put him in the bullpen once he was activated. Lauer excelled in his lone relief appearance, delivering 2.2 scoreless frames while allowing only one hit and walk and recording six strikeouts. The left-hander threw 46 pitches in that outing and is unlikely to be fully stretched out, but he could still cover about four innings if he builds on that workload. Lauer's status in the rotation beyond Friday remains to be seen, as Brett Anderson's return from the injured list earlier this week brought the group back to full health.

Lauer (COVID-19) worked 2.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen in Sunday's 9-1 loss to the Cubs, striking out six while permitting a base hit and a walk.

EDGE Analysis

Lauer's placement on the COVID-19 injured list earlier this month took him out of the mix for a spot in the Opening Day rotation, but the southpaw was cleared to join the big club in a bullpen role Sunday. Though he entered the game with two on base and one out with the Brewers trailing 5-0, Lauer did well to limit the damage while he was on the mound. He struck out two of the three batters he faced to escape the fourth inning, then retired six of the seven batters he faced over the next two frames. Lauer's stellar showing in relief could allow him to regain consideration for the rotation the next time an opening arises, but for the time being, he'll work as a multi-inning weapon out of the bullpen.

Lauer (COVID-19) was activated from the injured list and is available out of the bullpen Sunday against the Cubs, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Getting the coronavirus cost Lauer a shot at opening the year in the rotation. The team's fifth stater, Freddy Peralta, is starting Sunday, so it would be logical for Lauer to follow him out of the bullpen if the situation calls for a left-handed pitcher who can log multiple innings.

Brewers manager Craig Counsell said that Lauer (not injury related) will report to the club's alternate training site in Appleton on Wednesday to pitch in an intrasquad game, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

EDGE Analysis

Since Milwaukee is set to begin its season just two days later, Counsell acknowledged that Lauer is on track to miss Opening Day "by a little bit." Lauer remains on the COVID-19 injured list after he was in close contact with someone who tested positive for the coronavirus, but he's since cleared all necessary protocols and is merely building up his arm at this point after the missed time at summer camp put him behind Milwaukee's other starting candidates. If Lauer is activated from the IL shortly after the season starts, it's unclear if he will slot into the rotation or serve as a long reliever out of the bullpen.

Lauer will pitch one inning in Sunday's intrasquad game, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

This will be his first game action of summer camp as he was delayed due to a COVID-19 testing issue -- he indicated he was in close contact with someone who tested positive, so he needed to self quarantine and test negative. Lauer is behind in the competition for the fifth-starter spot, so he will likely open the year as either a true reliever or piggyback starter. As he gets stretched out, Lauer could provide another left-handed presence in the Brewers' rotation.

Lauer confirmed Sunday that the Brewers placed him on the COVID-19 injured list, though the left-hander said he is healthy and expects to be ready to go for the start of the 2020 season, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

EDGE Analysis

While it's not clear if Lauer himself ever tested positive for COVID-19, he indicated that he was in close contact with someone who did. As a result, the Brewers placed him in the COVID-19 protocol, but since he's on track to throw a bullpen session at the team facility Sunday or Monday, the assumption is that Lauer has already submitted two negative test results. If Lauer's bullpen session goes according to plan, he'll likely resume facing hitters a few days later, which should put him on track for Opening Day. Lauer is in contention for the final spot in the Brewers' rotation, with Corbin Burnes or Freddy Peralta seemingly representing his main competitors for that spot.