Tanner Scott Placed on Injured List With Elbow Inflammation as Marlins Remain Hopeful His Season Isn’t Finished Just Yet
Tanner Scott was put on the injured list with elbow inflammation, preserving hope that his season might not be over. For the Miami Marlins, that news came with a strange blend of relief and anxiety. Relief that the diagnosis was not worse—no immediate need for surgery, no dreaded announcement of a torn UCL. But also anxiety, because elbow inflammation is often the first step down a road pitchers dread. For a team that has leaned heavily on its bullpen throughout the season, Scott’s absence—even temporarily—presents a critical challenge, and one that could reshape the Marlins’ immediate future.
Scott has been a rock for the Marlins since arriving from Baltimore, becoming one of the most reliable left-handed relievers in all of baseball. Armed with a mid-90s fastball and a devastating slider, he’s carved out a role as the team’s late-inning weapon—capable of getting big outs in high-leverage situations, often against the heart of opposing lineups. His intensity on the mound and competitive spirit have made him a fan favorite and an indispensable part of the Marlins’ bullpen strategy.
But on a hot and humid night last week, something didn’t feel right. Scott came out for the eighth inning as usual, but his pitches lacked their usual bite. The velocity dipped slightly. The command was off. After a few grimaces and several long looks into the dugout, the decision was made. He was pulled mid-inning, and within hours, medical evaluation was underway. Elbow inflammation was the diagnosis, and the team quickly moved to place him on the injured list.
For any pitcher, elbow issues bring immediate concerns. The throwing motion puts tremendous strain on the joint, and the line between soreness and structural damage is often razor-thin. That’s why the Marlins’ medical staff acted quickly. They scheduled imaging, began treatments, and shut Scott down from throwing altogether. The goal: stop the inflammation early and avoid more serious complications. It’s a cautious approach, but a necessary one, especially when dealing with a player of Scott’s importance.
Team officials expressed cautious optimism in the aftermath. “We’re hopeful it’s just inflammation and nothing more,” manager Skip Schumaker told reporters. “We’re going to be careful. We want him back, but only when he’s ready.” Schumaker’s tone was serious but not defeated. He knows the importance of Scott to the team’s playoff hopes, and he also knows the risks of rushing a recovery.
Elbow inflammation can have a wide range of outcomes. In some cases, rest and rehab allow pitchers to return in a matter of weeks. In others, the inflammation reveals underlying damage that requires surgery and a lengthy layoff. For now, the Marlins and Scott are hoping for the former. He’ll undergo a throwing program once the inflammation subsides and be re-evaluated regularly. Only then will the true path forward be clear.
Scott, for his part, has remained focused. Known for his work ethic and no-nonsense demeanor, he has taken the news with calm resolve. “It’s frustrating, sure,” he said in a brief interview. “But I’ve been through stuff before. I’ll do what I need to do and be back as soon as I can.” That kind of mentality is part of why he’s earned so much respect in the clubhouse. His teammates, too, have rallied behind him, offering support and encouragement as he begins the slow process of recovery.
In the meantime, the Marlins will have to adjust. The bullpen, already stretched thin by a long season and a few other injuries, will now look to new names to step up. Right-handers like Anthony Bender and Sixto Sánchez may be called upon more often in late-game situations. Lefty relievers will need to fill the specific niche Scott occupied—getting tough left-on-left matchups and handling pressure-packed innings. The margin for error becomes thinner, the need for depth more urgent.
General manager Peter Bendix acknowledged the challenge ahead. “You don’t replace a guy like Tanner Scott with one move,” he said. “It’s going to take everyone stepping up. That’s the nature of the game.” Bendix also hinted that the front office would explore options on the trade market if Scott’s absence looks to extend deeper into the season. With the deadline approaching, bullpen arms are always in demand, and the Marlins will be watching closely.
The timing of Scott’s injury couldn’t be more critical. The Marlins are fighting to stay relevant in a crowded National League playoff race, where every game matters and every bullpen decision can swing momentum. With several close games expected down the stretch, losing a proven closer—or at the very least, a dependable eighth-inning arm—could be costly. The ripple effect of his absence will reach every corner of the team’s pitching staff.
But baseball is also a game of opportunity, and this injury opens the door for others to emerge. Young pitchers looking to prove themselves in high-leverage situations will now have the chance. Coaching staff and analytics departments will be working overtime to find favorable matchups and optimal deployment strategies to compensate for Scott’s absence.
Historically, the Marlins have endured worse. Injuries have long been part of their story, yet the team has continued to push forward. Their success this season has been built on resilience—winning close games, battling through adversity, and relying on unlikely heroes. The loss of Scott is a blow, no doubt, but it’s one they’ll try to absorb without losing focus on the bigger picture.
As fans hold their breath and await updates on Scott’s recovery, there’s a quiet hope that this won’t be the end of his 2025 season. Elbow inflammation is often treatable. And Scott’s past track record of durability—this being his first significant arm issue since joining Miami—gives reason for hope. If the team’s conservative approach works and rehab goes as planned, there’s a real chance Scott could return in time for the final stretch of the season or even the postseason.
In the larger context of his career, this moment will test Scott’s resilience and patience. Every pitcher faces adversity—this is his. How he handles it, how he listens to his body and navigates the delicate process of recovery, will define not just the rest of this season, but potentially the next chapter of his professional journey.
As of now, there’s no need for panic. The team has not signaled any surgical intervention. There’s no talk of long-term absence—yet. But the next few weeks will be critical. Progress will be measured not by velocity or spin rate, but by how his elbow responds to rest, treatment, and eventually, light throwing.
For now, Tanner Scott will watch from the sidelines, offering support to teammates and focusing on his health. And the Marlins will push forward, holding onto hope that their bullpen ace will be back where he belongs—on the mound, in the eighth or ninth inning, with the game on the line and his fastball popping into the mitt once again.
It’s a reminder that in baseball, as in life, the line between stability and uncertainty is razor-thin. But with patience, smart decision-making, and a little bit of luck, Scott and the Marlins still believe this story has more chapters to write this season.
