Blue Jays Announce Trade With Dodgers on Sunday

David Richard-Imagn Images

Blue Jays Announce Trade With Dodgers on Sunday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Trant | Last updated May 17, 2026 4:03 PM ET

The Los Angeles Dodgers remain one of baseball’s top teams despite continuing to battle significant injuries to their pitching staff. Entering Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels, the Dodgers sit at 28-18 and less than a game ahead of the San Diego Padres for first place in the National League West.

The Dodgers have spent much of the year dealing with injuries to key members of their pitching staff, with former All-Stars Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell each spending time on the injured list throughout the early part of the 2026 season. Newly acquired closer Edwin Diaz also underwent elbow surgery and is expected to miss approximately three months.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (30) © Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Despite the setbacks forcing the organization to continually shuffle both the rotation and bullpen, Los Angeles has continued finding ways to win behind one of baseball’s deepest rosters and strongest offenses.

The Toronto Blue Jays shared a trade announcement on X, with the Dodgers acquiring veteran left-handed pitcher Eric Lauer after he was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays last week. The 30-year-old left-hander would provide Los Angeles with another experienced arm capable of offering depth and innings during a difficult stretch of injuries to the rotation.

“OFFICIAL: We've traded LHP Eric Lauer and cash considerations to the Dodgers in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations,” The Blue Jays posted on X.

OFFICIAL: We've traded LHP Eric Lauer and cash considerations to the Dodgers in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. pic.twitter.com/OzUZGrUIIs
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) May 17, 2026

In eight appearances and 36.1 innings this season, Lauer has an ERA of 6.69 and 26 strikeouts. Lauer delivered a much stronger campaign during the 2025 season, finishing with a 9-2 record and a 3.18 ERA in 104.2 innings.

The Dodgers will now hope that a change of scenery and their reputation for maximizing pitchers will help Lauer rediscover some of the form he displayed last year. With Los Angeles continuing to navigate injuries throughout the rotation, Lauer could become an important depth option.

The Dodgers are going for a three-game series sweep of the Angels on Sunday afternoon.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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