SEATTLE, WA – MAY 11: Relief pitcher Eric Lauer #56 of the Toronto Blue Jays is congratulated by teammates in the dugout during the seventh inning of a game against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on May 11, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
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Like much of the Toronto Blue Jays’ pitching staff, one veteran entered the season with high expectations only to disappoint in the early part of the season.
Eric Lauer’s time with the Blue Jays saw an early exit after the veteran left-hander struggled on the mound and openly expressed frustration with how the club was using an opener to pitch ahead of him. Then his season took a dramatic turn after Toronto moved him to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Toronto Blue Jays Castoff Eric Lauer’s Los Angeles Dodgers Revival Comes To Sudden End
Lauer had been a key part of Toronto’s pitching staff during its American League pennant season last year, going 9-2 with a 3.18 ERA during the regular season. But his relationship with the team deteriorated quickly this season as his results declined.
The Dodgers acquired Lauer from Toronto in May, giving the veteran another opportunity to establish himself as a starter. And surprisingly enough, he enjoyed a renaissance this season.
“He is 7-2 with a 4.50 ERA in 14 games, including 12 starts,” the Associated Press reported. “The Dodgers acquired Lauer on May 17 from Toronto in exchange for cash. He was 1-5 with a 6.69 ERA in eight games for the Blue Jays.”
The change of scenery initially appeared to work. Lauer moved back into a starting role with the Dodgers and became part of a rotation that has dealt with injuries and shifting personnel throughout the season.
But then on Tuesday, against the St. Louis Cardinals, that resurgence came to a sudden end when Lauer allowed seven runs and eight hits over just three innings in a 13-8 loss. The following day, the Dodgers placed him on the injured list with an elbow issue.
“Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Eric Lauer went on the injured list with left elbow inflammation Wednesday,” the Associated Press added.
Former Toronto Blue Jays Pitcher Faces Uncertain Future After Los Angeles Dodgers Setback
Though Lauer was knocked around in his worst outing for the Dodgers yet, it wasn’t immediately clear that he had suffered a significant injury.
“There wasn’t anything notably off with his velocity but he apparently experienced some amount of elbow discomfort during or after that appearance,” Anthony Franco reported for MLB Trade Rumors.
Lauer’s latest setback is particularly unfortunate because he had seemingly found a workable role in Los Angeles after Toronto moved on.
The Dodgers had recently shifted Lauer into the bullpen after Tyler Glasnow returned from injury. But then Roki Sasaki’s blister reopened an opportunity to return to the starting rotation, though that might have marked Lauer’s final start for the Dodgers.
He is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
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