Dodgers Signing Left-Hander Amid Pitcher Injury Crisis

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The Los Angeles Dodgers are acquiring left-handed pitcher Eric Lauer from the Toronto Blue Jays, per Katie Woo of The Athletic.

The Dodgers are signing Eric Lauer, sources tell The Athletic. Lauer, who played a big part in the Blue Jays playoff run, was DFA’d by Toronto last week. Pitched 8 games, made 6 starts. Gives Dodgers some options with their pitching currently relatively thin.

— Katie Woo (@katiejwoo) May 17, 2026

Lauer, 30, pitched for the Blue Jays last season and faced the Dodgers twice in the World Series, not allowing a run through 5.2 innings of work. He was an important part of the run Toronto put together last year, but the same can not be said for 2026.

Through eight appearances this season, six of which came as starts, Lauer posted a 6.69 ERA through 36.1 innings pitched. He had just 26 strikeouts during that stretch.

The Blue Jays designated Lauer for assignment May 11. Per Woo, the Dodfers are set to acquire him, but the exact process in which they will do so is still being figured out.

Through his eight-year MLB career, Lauer has made 156 appearances, slowly transitioning into a bullpen role over the past couple of seasons. He has a career 4.26 ERA.

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May 10, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Eric Lauer (56) throws a pitch against the Los Angeles Angels in the fifth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Why Do the Dodgers Need Eric Lauer?​

The Dodgers began the season with one of the most effective pitching staffs in MLB, though that title is in jeopardy after a slew of injuries. Both Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell have landed on the injured list this month, reducing the Dodgers’ six-man rotation to just five players.

That doesn’t mean Lauer will be a starter, though, as LA could also use some help in the bullpen. Some of the Dodgers’ most important bullpen pieces are on the injured list, such as Edwin Diaz, Ben Casparius and Brock Stewart.

They also placed southpaw Jack Dreyer on the injured list ahead of Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels, so they could fill the void Dreyer left with Lauer if need be.

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Apr 12, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Jack Dreyer (86) on the mound against the Texas Rangers during the sixth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

That being said, Lauer isn’t especially tuned for the matchups Dodgers manager Dave Roberts likes playing for. Despite being a left-hander, Lauer has a .348 batting average against when facing left-handed batters, and has a WHIP of 2.60 against them.

His numbers against right-handers are much better, posting just a .248 BAA and a 1.31 WHIP while facing far more batters from the right side.

Do you think this is a smart move for the Dodgers?

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