Eric Lauer Lands on IL, Further Thinning Dodgers’ Rotation Depth

The Los Angeles Dodgers moved left-handed starter Eric Lauer to the injured list with left elbow inflammation on Wednesday.

Lauer, who allowed seven runs in just three innings during the Dodgers’ 13-8 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday, had a great start with the Dodgers, but hasn’t looked as sharp over this last couple of appearances.

Visit rouesnews.click for more information.

The left-hander has a 4.50 ERA after Tuesday’s outing, and allowed a solo home run during his last appearance, which came out of the bullpen. Prior to Tuesday’ his last start came against the Colorado Rockies and Aug. 18, when he allowed four earned runs in a win.

The Dodgers acquired Lauer early on in the season, picking him up off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays after Tyler Glasnow went down with a back injury. He played a key role throughout the summer as a late-rotation arm for the Dodgers, but his role shrunk upon the All-Star’s return.

He had to return from the bullpen to be a starter Tuesday due to increasingly thin depth among Dodgers starters, as several of their rotational arms took trips to the injured list. Shohei Ohtani is still yet to return from the midseason knee injury he suffered, and Roki Sasaki is still on the injured list with a blister on his right middle finger.

Additionally, Justin Wrobleski only just made his return to the Dodgers, having spent two weeks on the injured list with forearm tightness.

Sep 1, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Eric Lauer (33) pitches during the second inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Who Will Replace Eric Lauer For the Dodgers?

While Lauer’s injury is certainly a blow to the rotation, the Dodgers prepared for this contingency after having endured the same struggles in each of the past two seasons.

Wrobleski is an option to slot into the rotation, as he spent most of the season as a starter, and the Dodgers also have some options in the minor leagues.

Gavin Stone is currently on the injured list, though has been solid during his rehab assignment as he works his way back from a shoulder injury, and Emmet Sheehan is stringing together solid results following his demotion to Triple-A.

Lauer’s injury is certainly a blow for the Dodgers, but they are more than prepared to fill his spot. The Dodgers don’t have to make that decision just yet, though, so they filled the spot on the roster with Blake Treinen, who hasn’t pitched since June with an elbow injury.

The post Eric Lauer Lands on IL, Further Thinning Dodgers’ Rotation Depth appeared first on LA Sports Report.

Read full story at source