LOS ANGELES, CA— The Los Angeles Dodgers handed Tanner Scott a massive 4-year, $72 million contract late in the offseason to be the lockdown closer that had alluded the franchise since the team let go of all-time save leader Kenley Jansen.
So far this year, they’ve gotten mixed results with the 2024 National League All-Star posting an ERA above four and leading all of Major League Baseball in blown saves with seven.
However, entering Monday night, those expectations took an even steeper dip as Scott was removed from the game in the ninth inning due to a sharp pain in his left forearm, a terrible sign for any pitcher in an era with pitching arm injuries at an all-time high.
According to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, Scott experienced a “sting” in his left forearm and will undergo an MRI on Tuesday morning. He will “most likely” be placed on the injured list, a list that is already thirteen players strong.
The lefty was unavailable for questioning after the Dodgers’ 5-2 win over the Twins, which snapped a three-game losing streak, but according to Roberts, all the testing with the team trainers had gone well so far.
“I’m trying not to go down a spiraling thing with where it could be,” Roberts said. “(He’s) physical, strong. The manual tests were good. So hopefully it’s something that’s more of a scare, and then we can kind of put him on ice for a little bit and get him back.”
Even before Scott’s injury, the Dodgers had relief pitching at the top of their list of deadline needs and have been linked to multiple arms across the league.
Now, with Scott’s injury along with veteran Kirby Yates‘ performance, Kopech sidelined, and Bursdar Grateol MIA, the need for a bullpen arm went up exponentially last night.
Across the dugout in the Twins organization, there have been two prominent bullpen arms in trade talks: Griffin Jax and Jhoan Durán. However, other big-name options could include Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase and reliever Cade Smith, Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley, Athletics closer Mason Miller, Pirates closer David Bednar, and Orioles closer Félix Bautista, among others.
Still, with it being a seller’s market, prices will be astronomically high, and the Dodgers may have to bite the bullet and send away a few of their top prospects along the way.
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