Dodgers trade for Eric Lauer

May 18, 2026 - 01:20

The Los Angeles Dodgers have acquired left-handed pitcher Eric Lauer from the Toronto Blue Jays, adding another arm to a rotation that is currently held together by tape and hope. The move comes as the team deals with a sudden wave of injuries to its starting staff.

Blake Snell underwent elbow surgery on Tuesday, sidelining him for the foreseeable future. Tyler Glasnow is on the injured list with back spasms, and River Ryan just returned from a minor league injured list stint but has only made one start. With the team trying to maintain a six-man rotation, the need for healthy arms became urgent.

Lauer, who had been pitching in the Blue Jays organization, provides a low-risk option. He has shown flashes of effectiveness in the past, particularly during his time with the Milwaukee Brewers. The Dodgers are hoping a change of scenery and their pitching development system can help him recapture that form. For now, the priority is simply having a body to take the ball every fifth or sixth day. The front office is clearly in survival mode, patching holes while waiting for their bigger names to return from the trainer's room.