Dodgers News: Scott & Yates Dazzle in First Rehab Appearances

TACOMA, WA—The Los Angeles Dodgers’ bullpen has been a significant storyline for the team this season, and not in a good way.

While the starting rotation has battled injuries all season, entering August, all of those names are currently back, giving them their long-desired six-man rotation.

However, for much of the summer, the Dodgers’ bullpen has been tasked with absorbing the workload, and as we approach the final month of the 2025 regular season, it seems that effort has affected their performance.

For most of August, the Dodgers’ bullpen has struggled to maintain most leads, including blowing multiple games in Anaheim last week and failing to secure multiple saves since July.

A significant reason for this is the Dodgers’ absence of multiple high-leverage bullpen options, including lefty closer Tanner Scott and veteran right-hander Kirby Yates.

Both arms appeared in their first game action since being placed on the injured list with the Triple-A OKC Comets to begin their rehab assignment.

The night started off with righty Kirby Yates, who entered the ballgame in the sixth inning, tossing a scoreless frame.

Overall, Yates would toss twenty-one pitches (thirteen for strikes) while walking one and getting his line punch out for the second out of the inning.

Scott, 31, would enter the game the following inning, tossing a scoreless frame of his own on sixteen pitches (ten for strikes) while getting two strikeouts.

However, perhaps the most encouraging part of the night for Scott was the velocity of the southpaw’s fastball, averaging at 98mph.

It’ll be a short rehab stint for Yates, per Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who stated earlier this week that he’d be the first arm activated off the injured list for the bullpen.

Scott, who was placed on the 15-day injured list in July, will need a few more appearances after shutting down his throwing program for a week and gradually building back up after suffering left elbow inflammation.

Following close behind both arms is right-handed flamethrower Michael Kopech, who also began his minor league rehab assignment with the Comets last week, allowing two runs on two wild pitches.

Still, over the next three weeks, the Dodgers are expected to have all three arms activated and added back to their bullpen for the stretch run, a major boost to the Dodgers team in the heat of a division race and with World Series aspirations.

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