Los Angeles Dodgers have activated left-handed pitcher Eric Lauer, acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays for cash considerations, and optioned right-handed pitcher Wyatt Mills to Triple-A Oklahoma City. The move, announced Tuesday, shuffles the club's pitching staff amidst a series of injuries to key starters.
The Dodgers plan to maintain a six-man rotation with Lauer's addition, intended to provide "ample recovery time" for established pitchers such as Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki. This strategy comes as the team grapples with significant absences, including the recent losses of Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow to injury within the same week. Lauer is slated to make his Dodgers debut, potentially starting against the Colorado Rockies next Tuesday, May 26.
Lauer, 30, joins the Dodgers after a difficult stretch with the Blue Jays, where he posted a 1-5 record with a 6.69 ERA in eight appearances. His move follows his designation for assignment by Toronto on May 11. The Dodgers' acquisition is described as a "chance on Eric Lauer," with reports indicating he is expected to start games for the team. Lauer himself expressed a desire for a "mental break, a change of scenery," and indicated openness to "tinkering a little bit" with his approach, referencing past comments about being used as a long reliever that drew some fan consternation.
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To accommodate Lauer on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers also placed right-handed pitcher Brusdar Graterol on the 60-day injured list. Mills, who joined the Dodgers on a minor league deal last year, was sent to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Lauer's past performance includes notable outings against the Dodgers in the World Series, where he threw 5.2 scoreless innings.
