Blue Jays trade disgruntled Eric Lauer to World Series Rivals, LA Dodgers

It's the end of an era for what may have been the Toronto Blue Jays' most polarizing player in 2026.

Toronto announced Saturday (May 17) that the team has traded left-handed pitcher Eric Lauer to the Los Angeles Dodgers for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Lauer is headed to the West Coast after being designated for assignment on May 11, where he finished his time with the Blue Jays with an alarming 6.69 ERA.

As Lauer leaves for a team that needed the pitching depth, his departure marks the end of somebody who went from being a key piece for the 2025 Blue Jays to a growing frustration that merited the split.

Dodgers get pitching depth they desperately needed following IL stints to starting rotation

Lauer was originally acquired by the Blue Jays in December 2024, signing him to a minor-league deal after a stint with the Kia Tigers in Korea's KBO League. After being called up from Triple-A Buffalo in April 2025, he became a dominant force on the mound, posting a 9-2 record with a 3.18 ERA in the regular season, splitting his time as a starter and a reliever.

In the 2025 Postseason, Lauer continued to show his dominance, finishing with a 3.12 ERA in 8.2 innings with eight strikeouts. His standout performance came in Game 3's 18-inning marathon of the 2025 World Series, where he never allowed an earned run in 4.2 innings.

The switch from starter to the bullpen began what seemed to be a turbulent relationship between Lauer and the team, as the former made it clear he wanted to be a starter. It reached its boiling point in April 2026, when Lauer made it clear he hated the idea of having an opener for his starts and hoped the Blue Jays never did it again. Unfortunately, Lauer couldn't back up his intentions, as he finished with a 1-5 record and 6.69 ERA in eight games at the time of his DFA.

Lauer now joins the 2025 World Series champion Dodgers, who are also dealing with their own pitching concerns after losing some important figures to the injured list. Starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow was placed on the 15-day IL on May 8 with lower back spasms and is expected to be back later this month.

Then, on May 15, Blake Snell was placed on the 15-day injured list with loose bodies in his left elbow and is expected to undergo surgery, with the Dodgers expecting a quick recovery. Regardless, Lauer comes into the fray as the pitching depth the Dodgers need as they navigate with their thin staff.

It should be a good pairing for the Dodgers and Lauer, once they tell him what his role will be.

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