The Los Angeles Dodgers transferred Eric Lauer to the 60-day injured list on Friday, making him unavailable for the rest of the regular season and playoffs.
Lauer was initially placed on the 15-day IL on Sept. 2 due to left elbow inflammation. The Dodgers’ decision to effectively end his season was not due to the left-hander suffering a setback, but rather because of his outlook and lack of a clear role.
“We just felt we couldn’t build him up enough to be a starter. He’s just in the middle of his throwing program. He’s close, but I think in his role, we’re pretty set in the bullpen,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on SportsNet LA.
“So what we would need is something kind of in the starter realm, and with the time that we have on the calendar, we just didn’t have enough time. But he’s trending in the right way.”
Lauer was a long shot to make the Dodgers’ playoff roster in any role but seemingly could have been useful over the next two weeks.
And even then, the Dodgers have other ways to address the starting rotation for the final days of the regular season. Lauer has been serviceable, and even produced some standout performances this season, but his contributions are not irreplaceable.
Emmet Sheehan delivered an encouraging start in his first outing since being recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City, tying a career high with 10 strikeouts over 5.2 innings on Sept. 7.
Additionally, Roki Sasaki could rejoin the active roster later this week after recovering from a blister on his right middle finger.
In 14 appearances since being acquired in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays on May 17, Lauer had a 4.50 ERA in 72 innings of work for the Dodgers. He is set to become a free agent after the season.
Dodgers call up Josue De Paula after Eric Lauer move
Moving Lauer to the 60-day IL became necessary as the Dodgers needed to open a spot on their 40-man roster for the arrival of Josue De Paula.
Shohei Ohtani was also placed on the 15-day IL to make room on the active roster for De Paula.
De Paula hit .303/.401/.547 with 37 doubles, 27 home runs, and 104 RBI over 124 games with the Tulsa Drillers this season and became the first position player promoted to the Major Leagues from Double-A by Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman.
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