Tanner Scott Expected To Return In 2025 After Encouraging MRI Results

Although the Los Angeles Dodgers placed Tanner Scott on the 15-day injured list due to left elbow inflammation, manager Dave Roberts said the expectation is he will return at some point during the 2025 season.

That validated the Dodgers holding out initial hope amid some encouraging results from an X-ray and testing after Scott was removed from the series opener against the Minnesota Twins.

“I think that obviously it’s most likely an IL,” Roberts conceded at the time. “We’ll get somebody here, but I’m trying not to spiral with where it could be. Physical, strong. The manual tests were good, so hopefully it’s something that’s more of a scare and we can kind of put him on ice for a little bit and get him back.”

The outlook for the left-hander, who turned 31 years old on Tuesday, nevertheless was ominous as Roberts relayed Scott said he felt a “sting” after delivering a pitch in the ninth inning. Scott said he first felt discomfort on his 1-1 pitch and it worsened until coming out of the game.

Scott immediately grabbed at his pant leg and began to flex his left hand as Roberts and a Dodgers trainer went out to check on him.

The appearance was Scott’s second since the All-Star break and 47th overall this season. He was looking to complete a four-out save for the second time in 2025.

Instead, Scott’s first season with the Dodgers, which had already been marred by inconsistency, ends in a worst-case scenario and also puts the 2026 campaign in some doubt.

He finished the year 1-2 with a 4.14 ERA and 1.16 WHIP with 19 saves in 26 opportunities. The seven blown saves tied a career high that was set in 2022.

When will Tanner Scott return?

It’s not yet clear when Scott will be back in the Dodgers bullpen. The initial plan is to be shut down from throwing until the weekend.

“We’ll see how it feels in the next couple days,” Scott said.

He added that the ligament in his throwing elbow is “perfectly intact” and the MRI only revealed inflammation.