The Los Angeles Dodgers have spent much of the 2026 season searching for pitching solutions despite persisting as baseball’s most talented team.<\/p>\n
Injuries throughout the rotation and bullpen have forced the organization to look beyond its established stars, leading to a series of additions designed to reinforce the club ahead of another postseason push.<\/p>\n
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One of the more notable recent moves involved left-hander Eric Lauer<\/a>, who arrived in a trade from the Toronto Blue Jays<\/a> after voicing some displeasure with how the team was utilizing him in the beginning of the season.<\/p>\n FORBES | By Peter Chawaga Toronto Blue Jays Castoff Eric Lauer Praises Los Angeles Dodgers Trade<\/p>\n After joining the Dodgers, Lauer addressed his outspoken criticism of his former team<\/a>, which seemed to reach a breaking point as he complained to the media about pitching behind an opener.<\/p>\n \u201cEarlier this season, Lauer expressed some displeasure about being used behind an opener while with the Blue Jays,\u201d Sonja Chen wrote for MLB.com<\/a>. \u201cHe believes that those comments were blown out of proportion on social media, but he is looking forward to the change of scenery and the clear role he’s adopting with the Dodgers.\u201d<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n After joining the defending World Series champions, Lauer praised the Dodgers for being clear about how they were planning to use him on the mound.<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s good to just have that clarity and that understanding of, ‘This is what we see out of you, this is where we’re going to use you, this is what we need, this is what we want,’\u201d Lauer said of his new role with the Dodgers, per Chen. \u201cAnd when it lines up with what I want and what I feel I can do the best to help the team, I think that’s a really good spot to be in.\u201d<\/p>\n FORBES | By Peter Chawaga Los Angeles Dodgers\u2019 Max Muncy Sends Toronto Blue Jays Message<\/p>\n The acquisition also created an opportunity for some friendly clubhouse banter, particularly because Lauer spent years trying to beat the Dodgers while pitching for rival organizations, most notably during the teams\u2019 epic clash in last year\u2019s World Series.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n And for Dodgers\u2019 veteran infielder Max Muncy, that history has created some funny moments with his new teammate.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have had a lot of conversations with him about him not liking us very much when he was pitching for other teams,\u201d Muncy said during a recent appearance on Foul Territory<\/a>. \u201cAnd we’ve had some good laughs about it.\u201d<\/p>\n Lauer\u2019s new teammates might find some humor in the fact that their former foe is now trying to help them win a third straight title. But for the Blue Jays, who felt they had to cut ties with Lauer as he criticized the manager\u2019s decisions, losing the World Series in Game 7 last year is no laughing matter.<\/p>\n
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Rays Pitcher Cuts Ties With Team Just 3 Days After Disastrous Debut<\/a><\/p>\n