Dodgers Reliever Tanner Scott Likely Headed to Injured List with Concerning Left Forearm Issue in Potential Major Blow to Bullpen
The Los Angeles Dodgers may be facing a significant challenge in the coming weeks, as left-handed reliever Tanner Scott is expected to land on the injured list after experiencing discomfort in his left forearm. While the team has not yet officially placed him on the IL, manager Dave Roberts told reporters that Scott will “most likely” be sidelined for an extended period pending further evaluation. The news comes just days after Scott exited a game visibly in pain, immediately prompting concern about a potentially serious injury to one of the Dodgers’ most effective bullpen arms.
Forearm injuries in pitchers are never taken lightly, and for good reason. They are often a precursor to more severe conditions involving the elbow or ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), which can require lengthy recovery periods and, in some cases, Tommy John surgery. While the Dodgers and Scott are hoping for a more optimistic outcome, the decision to preemptively plan for an injured list stint underscores the gravity of the situation. For a team with deep postseason aspirations, losing a key reliever like Scott—especially a left-handed one—could have ripple effects throughout the bullpen structure.
Tanner Scott has been an integral part of the Dodgers’ 2025 bullpen. Acquired during the offseason in a trade with the Miami Marlins, Scott brought with him a reputation for overpowering stuff, elite strikeout ability, and a much-improved command that made him one of the more reliable relievers in the National League. His addition to the Dodgers gave them a crucial late-inning lefty presence, someone who could neutralize tough left-handed hitters like Bryce Harper, Juan Soto, and Matt Olson—hitters the Dodgers are likely to face in October.
So far this season, Scott has been more than reliable. In 45 appearances, he posted a 2.76 ERA with 62 strikeouts in just over 45 innings pitched. He led all Dodgers relievers in appearances and was often used in high-leverage situations. His fastball velocity routinely touched 97 mph, and his devastating slider made him nearly unhittable when ahead in the count. Perhaps more importantly, he seemed to thrive under pressure, consistently getting big outs with runners on base and shutting down late-inning rallies from opposing lineups.
Scott’s injury could not come at a worse time for the Dodgers. The team has recently seen a resurgence in form and was beginning to click on all fronts, led by MVP candidate Shohei Ohtani and a red-hot offense. But the pitching staff—already hit with injuries to Walker Buehler and reliever Joe Kelly—is now facing another test of depth. The bullpen had settled into a rhythm, with roles more clearly defined and Scott taking on the critical seventh and eighth innings depending on matchups. Now, manager Dave Roberts will have to reshuffle his late-inning strategy while waiting for updates on Scott’s status.
There is also the looming shadow of the MLB trade deadline, which is less than two weeks away. The Dodgers, perennial buyers in July, were already believed to be exploring bullpen upgrades. Scott’s injury may now force their hand. Rather than adding a depth arm or back-end reliever, the Dodgers could become aggressive in the pursuit of a high-impact left-handed pitcher to replace what they are losing in Scott—especially if the MRI results reveal a long-term injury.
Names like Brooks Raley of the Mets, Sam Moll of the Athletics, and even the White Sox’s Tanner Banks have surfaced as potential trade targets. Each offers a different profile, but all would bring needed stability to a bullpen suddenly lacking a reliable lefty option. The Dodgers have the prospect capital to pull off a deal, and team president Andrew Friedman has never shied away from making bold moves when the team’s championship window is wide open.
Still, replacing Scott is not just about numbers. It’s about replacing a pitcher who earned the trust of Roberts and his teammates. His intensity on the mound, combined with his ability to deliver in clutch moments, gave the Dodgers confidence late in games. Players and coaches alike respected his quiet demeanor and professional approach, and his absence will be felt beyond the stat sheet.
Scott’s journey to this point makes the injury even more disheartening. Once known for his inconsistent command and walk issues early in his career with Baltimore, he transformed himself into a legitimate weapon after being traded to Miami. There, he refined his mechanics, gained better control, and became a go-to guy for high-leverage innings. The Dodgers saw that progression and believed he could thrive in their system—and for most of 2025, he did exactly that.
When Scott walked off the mound during his last appearance, his facial expression said more than words ever could. He knew something was wrong. The training staff immediately assessed him, and while he attempted a few warm-up tosses, it quickly became clear he couldn’t continue. Roberts pulled him immediately, a decision praised by many for its precautionary nature. But the hope that it was a minor tweak has given way to a more sobering reality: this may be more than just a brief absence.
Roberts remained cautiously optimistic in his comments to the media. “We’re going to do everything we can to get him back healthy and strong,” he said. “He’s been huge for us, and we’re obviously going to miss him. But we’ve dealt with adversity all year, and we’ll adjust.”
The Dodgers’ internal options to replace Scott are limited. Alex Vesia, who has had an up-and-down season, may be thrust into more high-leverage spots. There’s also the possibility of recalling lefty reliever Nick Ramirez or experimenting with younger arms like Ben Harris or Justin Wrobleski. However, none offer the combination of experience and dominance that Scott brought. This makes the urgency to explore external help even more critical.
It’s also a moment where the Dodgers’ player development system will be tested. For years, the franchise has prided itself on developing pitching talent and finding under-the-radar bullpen contributors. If Scott is indeed lost for weeks or months, the Dodgers will need both their scouting and analytics departments to identify who can be trusted down the stretch.
Meanwhile, Tanner Scott will undergo a series of evaluations, starting with imaging and a possible visit to Dr. Neal ElAttrache, the team’s go-to orthopedic specialist. If structural damage is found, the road back could be long. If not, and it’s diagnosed as inflammation or a minor strain, there’s still hope he could return by late August or early September.
Regardless of the final diagnosis, the Dodgers are now in contingency mode. Every win matters, and bullpen stability is critical in the grind of a 162-game season. With the playoffs looming and the margin for error shrinking, Roberts and the coaching staff must quickly establish a new bullpen hierarchy—one that doesn’t include a pitcher who has been among their most effective weapons all season.
Dodgers fans, too, will anxiously await updates. Tanner Scott may not have the name recognition of some of his teammates, but those who follow the team closely know just how important he is. Losing him—whether for two weeks or two months—will test the mettle of this championship-contending roster.
Baseball, for all its statistics and strategy, often comes down to moments. In a postseason game in October, it might have been Scott coming in to face a lefty with two outs and the bases loaded. Now, the Dodgers must envision that scenario without him—and prepare accordingly.
For now, all eyes are on Scott’s MRI results, and all hopes are for good news. But in the meantime, the Dodgers must press on. They’ve done it before, and they’ll aim to do it again—with or without one of their best relievers.
