The Los Angeles Dodgers have placed Tanner Scott on the 15-day injured list due to left elbow inflammation, a setback for the left-handed reliever who was expected to strengthen the team’s bullpen. This injury marks the first time Scott has been on the injured list since 2021, amidst his tenure with three different teams.
The decision to place Scott on the IL follows an incident during Monday’s game against the Minnesota Twins, where he experienced discomfort after pitching a slider. Manager Dave Roberts quickly intervened during the ninth inning, replacing Scott mid-plate appearance with Kirby Yates. The Dodgers secured a 5-2 victory despite the unfortunate circumstances.
Roberts commented that Scott felt a “sting” in his arm prior to the last pitch, and although an MRI was pending, initial X-ray results had come back positive, providing a glimmer of hope. The manager expressed optimism about Scott’s recovery trajectory, indicating that he is in a better situation than initially feared.
However, it has been a challenging season for Scott overall. Despite being signed to a lucrative four-year, $72 million contract based on his impressive performance in the previous postseason, Scott currently leads Major League Baseball with seven blown saves. While he had strong outings in April and June, his inconsistency has contributed to the Dodgers’ bullpen issues, which were anticipated to be a strength following last offseason’s aggressive spending.
The Dodgers face a crucial period with the postseason on the horizon, and they will need to address their bullpen struggles during Scott’s absence. The team’s overall strategy will be vital as they work to regain momentum and ensure a competitive position in the upcoming playoff landscape.