The Los Angeles Dodgers made another roster move Friday, and this one could mark the end of Eric Lauer’s time with the organization.
Lauer was transferred to the 60-day injured list as the Dodgers made room on their 40-man roster for top prospect Josue De Paula, who is being called up following Shohei Ohtani’s placement on the injured list.
Lauer’s season comes to an end
The move officially ends Lauer’s 2026 season after the left-hander landed on the 15-day IL last week with left elbow inflammation. Lauer last pitched Sept. 1 against the Cardinals, allowing seven earned runs over three innings.
The Dodgers acquired Lauer from the Toronto Blue Jays in May, and he became an important back-end option for a team that has dealt with plenty of pitching injuries throughout the season.
Lauer went 7-2 with a 4.50 ERA in his time with Los Angeles. While his numbers were not spectacular, he provided valuable innings and helped stabilize the rotation during a difficult stretch.
Now, with the calendar approaching the postseason, there simply isn’t enough time left for Lauer to return during the regular season.
Could this be the end of Lauer’s Dodgers tenure?
The 60-day IL move doesn’t necessarily mean Lauer is leaving Los Angeles, but it certainly raises that possibility.
The Dodgers have already built their expected postseason rotation around Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tarik Skubal, Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow, leaving Lauer on the outside looking in even before the injury.
With Lauer now unavailable for the remainder of the regular season and the Dodgers having other pitching options ahead of him, his future with the club is far from certain.
Meanwhile, the roster move creates an opportunity for De Paula. The No. 6 overall prospect according to MLB Pipeline hit .303 with 27 home runs, 104 RBIs and 31 stolen bases at Double-A Tulsa this season. He is expected to receive opportunities as a designated hitter while Ohtani recovers from his knee and biceps issues.
Lauer’s Dodgers season is over, and with the team already looking toward October, his 2026 injury could very well have brought his Los Angeles tenure to an end.
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