The Los Angeles Dodgers placed left-hander Eric Lauer on the 15-day injured list Tuesday due to left elbow inflammation. The move came one day after he surrendered seven runs across three innings in a loss to the San Francisco Giants.
The Dodgers recalled right-hander Bobby Miller from Triple-A Oklahoma City to fill the vacant roster spot. Miller posted a 4.52 ERA in 11 starts for Oklahoma City this season.
Injury Context and Rotation Impact
Lauer’s exit marks the second consecutive start in which the left-hander allowed at least six earned runs. His ERA climbed to 5.25 across 21 appearances.
Los Angeles now faces a stretched bullpen over the final nine games of the regular season. Manager Dave Roberts indicated the team will deploy a bullpen game for the next start in Lauer’s place.
Depth Chart Strain
The Dodgers entered September with a rotation that had stabilized following the return of Tony Gonsolin and the acquisition of Jack Flaherty at the deadline. Lauer’s placement on the IL removes the only left-handed starter from the active roster.
| Pitcher | Role | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Yoshinobu Yamamoto | Starter | Active |
| Jack Flaherty | Starter | Active |
| Tony Gonsolin | Starter | Active |
| Landon Knack | Starter | Active |
| Eric Lauer | Starter | 15-Day IL |
| Bobby Miller | Starter/Bullpen | Recalled |
Playoff Implications
Los Angeles holds a four-game lead in the National League West with nine games remaining. The Dodgers’ magic number stands at five.
Roberts described the IL placement as precautionary. The team expects imaging results later this week.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: Why was Eric Lauer placed on the injured list by the Dodgers?
- A: The Dodgers moved Lauer to the 15-day injured list due to left elbow inflammation, a day after he gave up seven runs in three innings against the San Francisco Giants and posted a second straight start allowing at least six earned runs.
- Q: Who replaced Eric Lauer on the Dodgers’ roster?
- A: Los Angeles recalled right-hander Bobby Miller from Triple-A Oklahoma City to fill the vacant spot. Miller had a 4.52 ERA in 11 starts for Oklahoma City this season and will serve as a starter or bullpen option.
- Q: How does Lauer’s injury affect the Dodgers’ rotation and bullpen?
- A: Lauer was the only left-handed starter on the active roster, so his absence forces the Dodgers to use a bullpen game in his next turn. Manager Dave Roberts warned of a stretched bullpen over the final nine games of the regular season, even with Yamamoto, Flaherty, Gonsolin, and Knack still active.
- Q: Could this rotation issue hurt the Dodgers’ playoff chances?
- A: Losing the lone left-handed starter deepens the strain on a rotation that had just stabilized with Gonsolin’s return and the deadline addition of Flaherty. A nine-game bullpen workload at this stage raises short-rest risks that could carry into the postseason.
Extended Reading
Lauer exited his September 14 start against San Francisco after experiencing discomfort in his left elbow during the third inning. The left-hander recorded only four outs before being removed. Medical staff identified inflammation without structural damage on initial examination. Los Angeles initially listed Lauer as day-to-day before elevating the move to a 15-day IL stint Tuesday morning. The Dodgers’ medical staff will re-evaluate the pitcher in ten days. Roberts indicated the team remains confident Lauer will return before the postseason. Triple-A Oklahoma City provides immediate depth through Miller, who struck out 62 batters in 59.2 innings this season.