CBL's Guelph Royals re-sign Lazar

The Canadian Baseball League’s Guelph Royals have re-signed left-hander Chris Lazar (Mississauga, Ont.). Photo: Guelph Royals

February 16, 2026

Official Guelph Royals News Release

GUELPH, ONT. - The Guelph Royals have re-signed left-handed pitcher Chris Lazar.

Lazar, 28, will pitch his first full season with the Royals in 2026 after joining the team midway through the 2025 season.

An IBL-champion in 2024 with the Barrie Baycats, Lazar (Mississauga, Ont.) had a 0.00 ERA in five appearances with the Royals a season ago before putting up a 4.15 ERA in the playoffs.

Lazar said he is coming back to get a ring.

"I'm really excited to be back with the Royals this season. Dino Roumel and Ryan Eakin believed in me at the lowest point of my baseball career and I’m forever grateful for Dino helping me fall in love with baseball again. I can’t think of a better way to repay him than to put a championship ring on his finger in 2026."

Royals assistant general manager Ryan Eakin said bringing back Lazar was a no-brainer.

"When we discussed all of our players at the end of the year as a management staff, I think we discussed Lazar for 10 seconds. Bringing him back was the ultimate no-brainer. He is a lefty who competes, throws strikes, and has a ton of experience in this league. Between him and Kevin Escorcia, I love where we are at with our lefties out of the pen."