Eric Lauer transitions to a versatile bullpen role with the Los Angeles Dodgers, providing the tactical length needed to secure October glory.
The Los Angeles Dodgers remain without several important contributors because of injuries. However, the team is getting closer to welcoming back Tyler Glasnow, Shohei Ohtani and Will Smith as September approaches.
Smith faced Ohtani during live batting practice at Dodger Stadium on Saturday and is preparing to begin a rehab assignment. If everything progresses as expected, the catcher could potentially rejoin the Dodgers when rosters expand on Sept. 1.
Ohtani is also nearing another important step.
The two-way star is scheduled for one more bullpen session and could potentially return to the rotation after completing it.
Glasnow will come off the 60-day Injured List and start the series opener against the Atlanta Braves tonight.
Lauer’s new role
With Los Angeles moving closer to having its rotation at full strength, Eric Lauer is being shifted into a bullpen role.
Lauer could follow Glasnow on Tuesday night and will then be strategically aligned to work behind Ohtani once he returns to the mound.
According to Dodger Blue, manager Dave Roberts believes Lauer’s ability to provide length gives the Dodgers valuable flexibility.
Roberts explained that Glasnow’s return, combined with Lauer’s capacity to cover multiple innings, creates an opportunity for Los Angeles to gradually build Ohtani back up in a similar manner to last season.
Having Lauer available behind Ohtani also provides what Roberts described as a softer landing, allowing the Dodgers to avoid asking too much from Ohtani immediately after his return.
“It’s great,” Roberts said.
“Obviously, we got Glass coming back, we have Lauer with length, and so to then have the opportunity, the flexibility, to insert Shohei, to build up like he did last year, I think is of huge benefit both ways. And again, having guys like Lauer certainly behind them, makes it that much of a softer landing for Shohei.”
Lauer has earned that responsibility through an excellent season.
The left-hander is 7-1 with a 3.76 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 67 innings over 12 appearances (11 starts). He's recorded 43 strikeouts against 16 walks.
Lauer’s importance
Moving to the bullpen does not diminish what Lauer has contributed.
His versatility may actually become even more valuable as the Dodgers attempt to manage several returning starters while preparing for October.
Lauer has already demonstrated that he can provide length, which makes him particularly useful behind pitchers working under restrictions.
He also brings experience as a starter, meaning he understands how to navigate a lineup multiple times and adjust when hitters begin changing their approach.
That gives Roberts flexibility that a traditional one-inning reliever cannot provide.
Lauer’s willingness to accept a different role is important. He has pitched well enough to remain in a rotation, yet Los Angeles’ returning depth requires someone to move.
Rather than making him less important, the change could make Lauer one of the most strategically useful pitchers on the staff.
With Glasnow returning and Ohtani nearing his own comeback, Lauer’s ability to bridge innings could become essential to keeping both pitchers protected. While still giving the Dodgers quality work behind them.
