Eric Lauer: Everything you need to know

Lauer allowed three runs on six hits and three walks while striking out four batters over six innings in a no-decision against Tampa Bay on Monday. It initially looked like Lauer could be in for a bad evening, as he gave up two runs in the first inning and another in the second. However, the left hander was able to bounce back and keep the Rays off the scoreboard for the remainder of his outing. Lauer ended up with just his second quality start of the season, with his other such performance coming May 26 versus Colorado in his Dodgers debut. Lauer may not be a permanent part of Los Angeles' rotation, but with Blake Snell (elbow) and Tyler Glasnow (back) likely at least a month away from returning, he's pitched well enough to earn some leash as a starter. He lines up to make his next appearance in Minnesota.

Lauer didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 12-3 rout of the Pirates, allowing two runs on three hits over 5.2 innings. He struck out five without walking a batter. Back-to-back solo homers by Bryan Reynolds and Ryan O'Hearn in the first inning put Lauer in danger of getting a quick hook, but the veteran southpaw kept his focus and stuck around until finally leaving the mound after 89 pitches (64 strikes) just shy of his second quality start of the season. Lauer has been outstanding since being scooped up by the Dodgers following a rough beginning to the year with the Blue Jays, delivering a 2.76 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB in 16.1 innings over three starts. As long as he remains effective, he'll give Los Angeles little reason to promote a prospect like River Ryan, but Lauer's leash is likely short. He lines up to make his next start at home early next week against the Rays.

Lauer allowed two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out one over 4.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Diamondbacks on Tuesday. Lauer did fine, but he came up one out short of qualifying for the win. He threw 45 of 70 pitches for strikes in this outing. The southpaw has given up three runs over 10.2 innings in his two starts with the Dodgers so far, which is a positive sign that he can hold onto a rotation spot in the short term. He's at a 5.74 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 31:18 K:BB through 47 innings over 10 appearances (eight starts) between the Dodgers and the Blue Jays this season. Lauer is tentatively projected to make his next start on the road in Pittsburgh.