The Los Angeles Dodgers put Shohei Ohtani on the 15-day injured list and moved Eric Lauer to the 60-day injured list, allowing Josue De Paula to enter the active roster.
The Dodgers needed to free up a position on the 40-man roster, since De Paula was not on it, and Lauer was the player to make way.
Additionally, since Lauer was not on the active roster and was on the 15-day IL, his move was not enough for De Paula to make the active roster.
Shohei Ohtani was officially placed on the IL, paving the way for De Paula to take his spot, both on the team and in the lineup as the designated hitter.
Shohei Ohtani outlook
Ohtani will be available on September 23rd, giving him five games before the postseason starts. However, questions remain about whether he can return that soon.
He is officially on the injured list with right bicep soreness, but there is left knee inflammation at play as well, along with a neck issue.
The coming days will be very telling for both the Dodgers and Ohtani on how they proceed.
What is next for Eric Lauer?
Lauer is done for the year. He was officially moved to the 60-day IL, which will keep him out through the last days of the regular season.
He did a great job for the Dodgers of eating innings in quality fashion. He had a 4.50 ERA over 72 innings of work with LA, going 7-2.
His WHIP went down from 1.49 to 1.22, while his strikeout-to-walk ratio went from 1.6 to 2.4 with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Lauer is a free agent after this season, and he is in line to get a solid payday after rehabilitating his career following his rough 6.69 ERA with Toronto.
He also gets a chance at a ring if the Dodgers win.
