Despite the massive injury troubles faced by the Toronto Blue Jays‘ pitching rotation, they still decided to designate Eric Lauer for assignment this past week. Now, the left-hander has a new life, with none other than the Los Angeles Dodgers.
In return, Toronto gets the old standby, “cash considerations.”
With a 9-2 record, Lauer did everything the Blue Jays could have asked of him during the 2025 season. He was a starter for half the year, and in 15 starts, he posted a sound 3.77 ERA with 9.0 strikeouts per nine innings. He was then shuttled to the bullpen, which wasn’t his first choice, but he adapted. Big time. He posted a 1.76 ERA in 13 relief appearances. He also made five strong outings in the postseason in that role, with a 3.12 ERA.
In fact, Dodgers fans at Chavez Ravine will remember Lauer for his legendary performance in the Game Three 18-inning marathon. He came on in the 12th inning and threw 4.2 scoreless innings on 68 pitches, allowing only two hits.
It seems that the Dodgers made a mental note of those 5.2 scoreless innings Lauer threw in two World Series outings against them.
Lauer joins Dodgers with 6.69 ERA this season
But 2026 has been a whole new ballgame for Lauer. The southpaw just couldn’t get it together, regardless of the role he was in. He has a 6.69 ERA overall. In six starts, he posted a 6.15 ERA and 1.56 WHIP, with a meager 18:13 strikeout to walk ratio. In two stints out of the bullpen, it was even uglier, with an 8.10 ERA in 10 innings. He surrendered a league-leading 11 homers in his eight appearances .
But the 30-year-old has had his ups and downs throughout his eight-year career, and has often bounced back strongly. Absolutely no one would be surprised if the Dodgers were able to coax the lefty back to his winning ways.
The Dodgers are in desperate need for help in the rotation. Blake Snell went back on the IL after just one appearance, and Tyler Glasnow is also currently out with back spasms. Reports are that Lauer will initially serve as a length option in the bullpen when he joins the team this week, but a spot in the rotation is certainly on the table as they move forward.
For his career, Lauer has a 4.26 ERA in 737.2 innings, with 8.5 K/9.
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