Dodgers place Eric Lauer on IL with elbow inflammation
Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Eric Lauer was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with left elbow inflammation after allowing seven runs in three innings against St. Louis. The move reshapes how fans track the Dodgers score outlook down the stretch, as Blake Treinen returns from the 60-day IL.
According to ESPN, Lauer gave up eight hits in a 13-8 loss to the Cardinals on Tuesday and is 7-2 with a 4.50 ERA in 14 games this season, including 12 starts. For more clubhouse moves and celebrity sports headlines, follow our Celebrity Breaking News hub.
After the defeat, Lauer said he felt fine warming up and in the bullpen, then "kind of just lost it," without citing an injury at the time. MLB Trade Rumors later noted he appeared to experience elbow discomfort during or after that outing, even though his velocity was not notably off.
Key Takeaways
- Lauer is on the 15-day IL with left elbow inflammation after a seven-run, three-inning start vs. St. Louis.
- Blake Treinen was reinstated from the 60-day IL to replace him on the active roster.
- Will Klein was moved to the 60-day IL to open a 40-man roster spot for Treinen.
- The Dodgers face nine straight game days and may call up a sixth starter against Washington.
Why is Eric Lauer on the injured list?
The Dodgers announced the left-hander landed on the 15-day injured list with elbow inflammation one day after his return to the rotation went sideways. He had been bumped to the bullpen when Tyler Glasnow came back, then slid back into the starting five after Roki Sasaki's blister reopened a spot.
Los Angeles acquired Lauer from Toronto on May 17 for cash. He was 1-5 with a 6.69 ERA in eight games for the Blue Jays before the trade and went 9-2 with a 3.18 ERA last season.
Who replaces Lauer on the Dodgers roster?
Treinen, sidelined since June 20 with right elbow inflammation, is back after seven scoreless rehab appearances between Low-A Ontario and Triple-A Oklahoma City. ESPN reported an 0.00 ERA with eight strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings on that assignment. He is 4-1 with a 3.52 ERA in 29 games for the Dodgers this year.
Manager Dave Roberts had said Tuesday that Treinen would be activated "very soon." Klein's transfer to the 60-day IL clears the 40-man space; that move rules Klein out for the rest of the regular season, though he could still be eligible for the postseason.
How does this change the Dodgers score path ahead?
With Lauer unavailable for at least 15 days, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tarik Skubal were lined up for the final two games of the St. Louis series. Glasnow and Blake Snell are expected to take starts in the Washington series, with another arm still to be named.
True Blue LA reported the club planned to call up a sixth starter during the Nationals series because of the nine-day homestand grind. Emmet Sheehan, coming off strong Triple-A work, is a leading candidate for a spot start, which could shape how the Dodgers score and manage innings while the rotation is short a regular.
Justin Wrobleski also returned from a brief IL stay and is ticketed for relief this month as the club prepares postseason roles. High-leverage right-handed relief remains a priority, and Treinen's return is aimed squarely at that gap as September baseball intensifies.