Despite the massive injury problems facing the Toronto Blue Jays’ pitching rotation, they still decided to designate Eric Lauer for the job last week. Now, the left-hander has found a new life with none other than the Los Angeles Dodgers.
In return, Toronto gets the old standby, “cash consideration.”
With a 9-2 record, Lauer did everything the Blue Jays could from him during the 2025 season. He was a starter for half the year, and in 15 starts, he had a good 3.77 ERA with 9.0 strikeouts per nine innings. He was then moved to the bullpen, which was not his first choice, but he adapted to it. big time. He posted a 1.76 ERA in 13 relief appearances. He also made five strong appearances in the postseason in that role with a 3.12 ERA.
In fact, Dodgers fans from Chavez Ravine will remember Lauer for his stellar performance in the Game Three 18-inning marathon. He came on in the 12th inning and pitched 4.2 scoreless innings on 68 pitches, allowing only two hits.
It seems the Dodgers have made a mental note of the 5.2 scoreless innings that Lauer threw in the two World Series games against them.
Lauer joins the Dodgers with a 6.69 ERA this season
But 2026 has been a whole new game for Lauer. No matter what role he played, the southpaw couldn’t bring it together. He has a 6.69 ERA overall. In six starts, he posted a 6.15 ERA and 1.56 WHIP, with a strikeout to walk ratio of only 18:13. In two stints in the bullpen, it was even uglier, with an 8.10 ERA in 10 innings. He surrendered a league-leading 11 homers in his eight contests.
But the 30-year-old has seen ups and downs in his eight-year career and has often come back stronger. It would surprise no one if the Dodgers were able to get the lefty back to his winning ways.
The Dodgers are in desperate need of help in the rotation. Blake Snell went back to the IL after only one appearance, and Tyler Glasnow is also currently out due to back spasms. Reports are that Lauer will initially serve as a length option in the bullpen when he joins the team this week, but as he progresses, a spot in the rotation will certainly be on the table.
For his career, Lauer has a 4.26 ERA with 8.5 K/9 in 737.2 innings.
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