Dodgers Place Eric Lauer on IL After Three-Inning, Seven-Run Outing

Eric Lauer joins the injured list with left elbow inflammation following a 13-8 loss where he surrendered eight hits to St. Louis.

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers officially placed starting pitcher Eric Lauer on the 15-day injured list this Wednesday, citing left elbow inflammation as the primary cause. This roster adjustment follows a Tuesday night performance where the left-hander surrendered seven earned runs and eight hits across a brief three-inning stint. That specific outing culminated in a 13-8 defeat against the St. Louis Cardinals, which subsequently dropped the pitcher's current season record to 7-2.

Key details

Statistically, Lauer carries a 4.50 ERA through 14 total games and 12 starts during this campaign. These figures represent a notable shift from his 2023 production, a year in which he secured a 9-2 record alongside a 3.18 ERA. Before arriving in the National League West, the Dodgers acquired the southpaw from the Toronto Blue Jays on May 17 in exchange for cash considerations. His tenure in the American League earlier this year was marked by a 1-5 record and a 6.69 ERA over eight appearances.

Following the loss to St. Louis, Lauer provided insight into his physical state during his pre-game preparations. The pitcher noted that he felt physically sound while warming up in the bullpen but struggled to maintain that rhythm once the game commenced. At the time of his post-game media availability, he did not explicitly cite a physical ailment, instead positing that he might have been over-analyzing his mechanics during the interval between his scheduled starts. He concluded his self-assessment by stating that he did not perceive a glaringly obvious flaw in his delivery despite the high run total allowed.

In a corresponding transaction, the Dodgers activated veteran reliever Blake Treinen from the injured list. The right-handed specialist had been unavailable for selection since June 20, sidelined by right elbow inflammation. Treinen rejoins the active 26-man roster boasting a 4-1 record and a 3.52 ERA established over 29 appearances this season. His path back to the major league level involved seven rehab appearances distributed between Low-A Ontario and Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Latest developments

During that minor league assignment, Treinen displayed significant command, recording eight strikeouts while allowing zero earned runs over 6 1/3 innings of competitive work. To accommodate these shifts on the 40-man roster, the organization moved relief pitcher Will Klein to the 60-day injured list. This administrative move provides the necessary space for Treinen's activation while Lauer begins his recovery period.

The pitching staff transition occurs as the club manages several concurrent arm injuries within the rotation and bullpen. Lauer’s placement on the IL represents a tactical shift for the starting five, which has utilized his services for 12 starts since the mid-May trade. The Dodgers now aim to leverage Treinen's veteran experience in high-leverage situations following his successful recovery program in the minor league affiliates. Klein's move to the 60-day IL ensures the front office remains compliant with league roster limits during this period of transition.

Lauer's exit from the active roster means the Dodgers must fill a vacancy in a rotation that has seen significant turnover. The left-hander's 4.50 ERA reflects a season of two halves, split between his struggles in Toronto and his initial success upon arriving in Los Angeles. The eight hits surrendered to the Cardinals matched a season-high for the pitcher, highlighting the immediate need for medical evaluation of his throwing arm.

Treinen’s return provides immediate depth to a bullpen that has logged heavy innings recently. His 3.52 ERA is supported by a strikeout-to-walk ratio that remains among the most consistent on the team. By successfully navigating his rehab starts without surrendering a run, the right-hander proved his elbow inflammation has subsided sufficiently for high-intensity competition. The team will now monitor Lauer's progress as he addresses the inflammation in his left elbow, hoping for a return to the form that saw him win nine games last season.