Dodgers Deal With Lauer's Elbow Trouble, Bring Back Treinen

Timing matters in September. The Dodgers placed Eric Lauer on the 15-day injured list with elbow inflammation, removing a key rotation piece during the final stretch of the regular season. To make room, the club reinstated Blake Treinen from the 60-day injured list, then shuffled Will Klein from the 15-day to the 60-day IL to clear a 40-man roster spot.

Lauer's departure stings for a contender banking on depth. A reliable left-handed starter, losing him to inflammation raises immediate questions about the severity and whether this could extend beyond two weeks. The Dodgers have invested heavily in their pitching staff and can ill afford major injuries down the homestretch, when every win counts for seeding and momentum.

Treinen's return offers a partial offset. The veteran reliever brings experience in high-leverage situations, though his availability depends on how cleanly his recovery went. Relievers can sometimes slot back in faster than starters, but a 60-day stint suggests this wasn't a minor setback either.

What to watch. The timing of Lauer's inflammation will be critical; elbow issues can linger or escalate if players rush back. For the Dodgers' pitching odds and bullpen efficiency totals, this creates uncertainty. Treinen's workload and effectiveness in his first games back will also matter—a rusty reliever in October baseball is less valuable than one in rhythm. The team's depth will be tested.

Source: original report ↗