Overview
- The Blue Jays designated left-hander Eric Lauer in May and traded him to the Los Angeles Dodgers for cash, giving him a fresh opportunity in a depleted rotation.
- Since joining Los Angeles he has a 3.35 ERA in 45 2/3 innings across eight outings and the Dodgers are unbeaten (8-0) in games he has pitched.
- The Dodgers have averaged 8.1 runs per game in the eight contests Lauer has appeared in, scoring 65 runs in those games and prompting manager Dave Roberts to praise his calming clubhouse presence.
- Analysts note Lauer’s success stems mainly from allowing fewer hits and an unusually low .213 BABIP, while his strikeout and walk rates have not meaningfully improved and his FIP has been higher.
- With Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell and Shohei Ohtani expected to return, the Dodgers face a choice to keep Lauer in the rotation, shift him to the bullpen, or trade him as a deadline asset.