Dodgers hit with surprise injury in latest blow to starting rotation

The Dodgers made an expected roster move on Wednesday, activating reliever Blake Treinen from the injured list.In an unexpected twist, however, the Dodgers announced that starting pitcher Eric Lauer was going on the injured list in a corresponding move, leaving a Dodgers rotation once blessed with ample depth suddenly short on arms for the stretch run of the season.Lauer’s IL stint came a day after he was knocked around for seven runs in three innings during a 13-8 loss to the St.Louis Cardinals.According to the team, the veteran left-hander is dealing with elbow inflammation, making him the third Dodgers starter to land on the IL in recent weeks.Last month, Justin Wrobleski went down with forearm inflammation.

And though he made a quick return to rejoin the club on Tuesday, he has been shifted to the bullpen for the rest of the season as he works to rectify his recent problems with giving up long balls.Last week, Roki Sasaki was sidelined with a blister on his right middle finger.And while he could be ready to return as soon as next weekend’s trip to Miami, the Dodgers are still deciding whether he will also shift to the bullpen –– where, like Wrobleski, he is most likely to have a role in the playoffs.Over this past weekend, Shohei Ohtani was forced into a change of plans to his pitching progression, too, having his expected return to the mound on Sunday scuttled because of ongoing discomfort with his knee and biceps injuries.

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By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Never miss a story Those losses had left the Dodgers operating with only a five-man rotation, rather than the six-man group they’ve used all season.

Because of that, they were already planning to call up a pitcher –– likely Emmet Sheehan, who was demoted to triple-A a month ago amid season-lon...