The Los Angeles Dodgers made one of the top signings in free agency when they landed closer Tanner Scott, who played last season with the San Diego Padres. It was widely celebrated not only to get one of the best closers in baseball, but also to steal him from a division rival.
Unfortunately, it has not gone to plan with the Dodgers and Tanner Scott.
After starting the season fairly strong, Scott has hit a rough patch, to put it lightly, blowing saves and lacking command of his pitches.
Los Angeles Dodgers Closer Tanner Scott Blows Another Save
The latest came today in a game against the Cleveland Guardians. The Dodgers held a 4-2 lead in the 8th inning. With his recent struggles (blew a save in the previous series against the Mets), manager Dave Roberts trotted Scott out to the mound in the Bottom of the 8th.
It did not go well.
He allowed a single to the first two batters he faced, then walked the 3rd, loading up the bases with zero outs. He would strike out the next batter for the first out, but then allowed another single, which would drive in two runs and tie the game.
Alex Vesia would replace Scott and allow a home run to the first batter faced, giving the Guardians a 7-4 lead, which would be the end result of the game.
Another blown opportunity.
Scott signed a 4-year deal with the Dodgers worth $72 million. This makes him the 6th-highest-paid relief pitcher in all of baseball.
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He currently has a brutal 4.62 ERA with 10 saves, good enough for 12th most in the MLB. He also now has 4 blown saves in 25 appearances. The most he has ever had in his career is 7, back in 2022 in 67 games.
Last season, he spent half the year with the Miami Marlins before ending up in San Diego. With Miami, he had an astounding 1.18 ERA. He finished with a solid 2.73 ERA with the Padres.
He still has plenty of time to get it figured out, and the Dodgers still sit in first place in the NL West. However, he doesn’t have the luxury to take time off to get right, considering the Dodgers have 14 pitchers on the injured list, so every arm they have available has to be ready to go.
It is worth noting that prior to these recent struggles, after a tough start to the season, he became lights out. He only gave up one run in the entire month of April and was nearly flawless through half of May.
Do the Dodgers have a Tanner Scott problem? At the moment, it appears that they do, but he has the talent to get it right down the stretch.