Tanner Scott's nightmare 2025 with the Dodgers left fans stunned, but could his burning desire for redemption spark a triumphant return in 2026? Let's dive into what happened and why the team's leaders are betting big on this lefty's revival.
When the Los Angeles Dodgers inked Tanner Scott to a massive four-year, $72 million deal last offseason, they saw him as the ultimate weapon to lock down late innings—essentially their go-to closer. For those new to baseball, a closer is the pitcher who comes in during the final innings of close games to seal the victory, and Scott's price tag made him the third-highest paid reliever in MLB based on average annual value, or AAV, which is basically how much he earns per year on average. The excitement was sky-high because Scott had tormented the Dodgers in the prior season, both in regular games and the playoffs, especially when facing off against superstar Shohei Ohtani. Imagine a pitcher who could neutralize one of the game's best hitters—that's the kind of edge the Dodgers craved.
Heading into 2025, Scott's track record was stellar. As a left-handed reliever for the San Diego Padres, he'd posted a tiny 1.75 ERA—that's earned run average, a key stat measuring how many runs a pitcher allows per nine innings—in 72 regular-season innings, racking up 84 strikeouts. ERA is like a pitcher's report card on preventing runs, and lower is always better. He even backed it up in the playoffs with four perfect, scoreless innings from the bullpen, proving he could handle the high-stakes pressure.
But here's where it gets heartbreaking—and maybe a bit controversial: Scott's 2025 turned into his career-worst nightmare. Injuries derailed everything. He missed significant time in the second half due to inflammation in his left elbow, a common overuse issue for pitchers that can sideline them for weeks, and then an unforeseen surgery to remove an abscess on his backside kept him out of the postseason entirely. For beginners, an abscess is like a painful infection pocket that needs draining, and it's the last thing a pro athlete wants mid-season. The Dodgers, who had high hopes for their pricey acquisition, ended up with results that fell way short of expectations.
Despite the setbacks, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman isn't throwing in the towel. He's all in on Scott's potential rebound next year, pointing to the pitcher's genuine passion for victory. Drawing from an interview on SportsNet LA (https://x.com/SportsNetLA/status/1998551505998315587), Friedman shared: "First and foremost, obviously he had the injury during the playoffs. But he loved winning. It’s fun to see guys’ reaction after you win. He loved it, and I think as motivated as he was, I think it added even a little bit more. He’s hungry. He’s hungry to get back out there and be a big part of what we do in 2026, and I would definitely bet on him." Friedman's confidence is infectious; he's essentially wagering the team's bullpen strategy on Scott's hunger to contribute meaningfully, which could be a game-changer if it pays off—or a risky gamble if injuries linger.
Manager Dave Roberts echoes that optimism, suggesting Scott was battling undisclosed health woes throughout 2025 that turned the year into an "outlier," meaning an unusual blip rather than his true talent level. As detailed on Dodger Blue (https://dodgerblue.com/dave-roberts-tanner-scott-wasnt-healthy-first-dodgers-season/2025/12/17/), Roberts believes these hidden issues explain the slump, giving fans hope that a healthier Scott could dominate once more. And it's not just the top brass—general manager Brandon Gomes is the third key voice backing this narrative, expressing strong faith in Scott's improved performance come 2026, per Dodger Blue (https://dodgerblue.com/general-manager-brandon-gomes-dodgers-confidence-tanner-scott-next-season/2025/11/14/). With all these leaders aligned, it's hard not to feel the momentum building.
To put Scott's 2025 woes in perspective, let's break down the numbers for those just getting into stats. He wrapped up with a 1-4 record, a bloated 4.74 ERA, a 4.70 FIP (fielding independent pitching, which strips away defense to focus on what the pitcher controls like strikeouts and walks), a 1.26 WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched, showing how often runners reach base), and a league-worst 10 blown saves in just 57 innings over 61 outings. Blown saves are heartbreaking moments when a closer fails to hold a lead, and 10 of them? That's a tough pill for any team to swallow.
Contrast that with his golden two years before joining the Dodgers: 150 innings pitched with a stellar 2.04 ERA, 2.53 FIP, 1.05 WHIP, and an impressive 31.3% strikeout rate—meaning he fanned nearly a third of the batters he faced, which is elite for a reliever. And this is the part most people miss: was 2025 just bad luck and injuries, or does it signal deeper issues with adapting to the Dodgers' high-pressure environment? It's a controversial take, but some might argue that shelling out $72 million for a bounce-back bet is optimistic bordering on reckless in a game where health is everything.
What do you think—will Scott silence the doubters and anchor the Dodgers' bullpen in 2026, or is this wishful thinking from the front office? Drop your thoughts in the comments below: agree with Friedman's bet, or do you see more risks ahead? Let's spark some debate!
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