Los Angeles Dodgers southpaw Eric Lauer is headed back to the rotation after Roki Sasaki’s injury, marking yet another instance of him being moved around by the organization.
In 2026, Eric Lauer has seen just about everything. He started the year with the Blue Jays, where he struggled to start the year, before moving to a piggyback starter with an opener to help him out.
However, Lauer voiced his frustration with the role, and eventually, as the results stayed poor, the team designated him for assignment.
The Jays traded him to the Dodgers while he was on the waiver wire after the Dodgers’ pitching needs grew due to injuries, and since then, things have flipped for Lauer.
He has been a stellar starter in terms of results, getting outs and avoiding walks, while still giving up a handful of hits.
His style gave the Dodgers a chance to win his starts, relying on the defense to bail him out. Lauer has also made real changes to his pitch mix, using the cutter and his fastball more often and relying less on his off-speed pitches.
Even with the Dodgers, Lauer has been used in different roles, mainly as a starter, but he also has been a piggyback starter, and on Wednesday, August 26th, vs. the Braves, he made his Dodger bullpen debut.
Lauer allowed two hits, two walks, a strikeout, and a run in two innings of work. It was a shaky bullpen outing, but he should get a start in a few days, a role that he is more comfortable with.
How long will Lauer be in the rotation for?
Two factors are at play for Lauer. Shohei Ohtani is entering the rotation soon if all goes well, but his return to pitching is far from certain.
Additionally, Roki Sasaki is going on the 10-day IL — a blister usually requires only the minimum time.
Lauer could make just one start or possibly two, though the important thing for the veteran will be to embrace the variability.
