The Los Angeles Dodgers are monitoring the status of closer Tanner Scott, who could return for the World Series after missing the NLCS due to a lower-body injury. Scott, who struggled in his first season as the Dodgers’ closer with a 4.74 ERA, remains one of the organization’s most talented bullpen arms and is working toward a potential postseason comeback.
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Scott’s ailment has been described in multiple ways—he called it an infection, while a Dodgers official referred to it as a cyst. The injury forced him off the NLDS roster against the Philadelphia Phillies and sidelined him for the NLCS. Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes elaborated on Thursday, stating, “Sounds like anything from seven days to two weeks. It sounded like it was uncomfortable. Then we thought he was on the other side of it. And then it got worse to the point of having to have the procedure.”
Despite missing recent games, Scott remains hopeful. Speaking to Jon Heyman of The New York Post, he said he’s throwing and aiming to rejoin the team for the World Series. “Scott is working hard, but it’s uncertain if there’s enough buildup time to rejoin the team as a back-end reliever, which coincidentally is what his recent procedure accomplished,” Heyman reported.
The Dodgers’ bullpen has been tested this postseason. Evan Phillips and Brusdar Graterol are out for the year, while Kirby Yates and Michael Kopech have been largely ineffective. Rookie Roki Sasaki has emerged as a high-leverage reliever out of necessity, but Scott’s experience and left-handed arm could provide the back end with stability and matchup versatility against left-handed hitters.
Scott has not pitched in the postseason since September 26, but prior to his injury, he had allowed only two earned runs and four hits over his last 6.2 innings. With the Dodgers’ Fall Classic opener less than a week away, the team will have to determine if Scott can ramp up in time to contribute. If healthy, his presence could relieve pressure on the remaining bullpen arms and provide a strategic option late in games.
Signed to a four-year, $72 million deal this past winter, Scott remains one of baseball’s highest-paid relief pitchers. Though his first season in Los Angeles was challenging, a healthy Scott could still be a difference-maker for the Dodgers as they aim for their next championship.
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