Dodgers acquire experienced left-handed pitcher Eric Lauer

Dodgers Add Veteran Pitcher Eric Lauer

In light of the recent injuries plaguing their pitching staff, the Dodgers have bolstered their roster by acquiring a familiar face.

Eric Lauer, a left-handed veteran, joined the team from the Blue Jays on Sunday following his designation for assignment last week.

The Dodgers traded cash to Toronto for Lauer, though his specific role in Los Angeles remains uncertain. To accommodate him on the 40-man roster, Brusdar Graterol was moved to the 60-day injured list.

Lauer, now 30 years old, brings eight years of MLB experience, boasting 133 career starts and 156 games played. His career ERA stands at 4.26, but he was let go by the Blue Jays after yielding 27 runs and a league-high 11 home runs in just the first eight games of the season—six of which were as a starter.

The Dodgers are no strangers to Lauer, having faced him 13 times since his debut in 2018. Remarkably, he has maintained a 2.90 ERA against the team, ranking third-best among pitchers he has faced multiple times.

In recent weeks, the Dodgers’ starting rotation has faced a considerable shake-up, with Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell being placed on injured reserve. Their bullpen is also struggling, particularly after losing Jack Dryer to the injured list due to shoulder discomfort.

In a response to these challenges, the team called up Paul Gervais and Chaice McDermott. They also selected left-hander Charlie Barnes as part of a strategy to strengthen their bullpen before the series finale against the Angels.

While it’s unclear how Lauer will fit into the Dodgers’ plans, the organization is hopeful he can contribute and provide much-needed innings, especially as they await reinforcements from the injured list.

Lauer previously experienced his best seasons with the Brewers in 2021 and 2022, with an impressive combined record of 18-12 and an ERA of 3.47. However, he faced challenges afterward, spending much of 2023 and the entirety of 2024 in the minors before signing with a team in South Korea’s KBO League. He returned to the majors last year with the Blue Jays.

During his time with Toronto, he was instrumental in their run to the World Series, appearing in 28 games (15 starts) with a record of 9-2 and an ERA of 3.18. Notably, he managed to pitch four shutout innings in his playoff appearances, including a standout performance during an 18-inning game.