Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts specifically named Tanner Scott as the player who looked the best during the Dodgers’ first day of spring training.
Scott joined the Dodgers ahead of the 2025 season on a four-year, $72 million deal, but struggled through his first season in L.A.
“Tanner Scott looked fantastic,” Roberts said. “It’s one day, but the stuff, the delivery was as good as I’ve seen from him and that includes all of last year.”
“…He had a lot of stuff going on internally, with his body, that we addressed at the end of the season, so I think that might have bled into some cleaning up of some mechanics, but the ball was coming out differently than I remember it.”
The Dodgers invested in their bullpen this offseason partly due to Scott’s shortcomings. If he can show All-Star-level stuff in 2026, the Dodgers could have one of the better bullpens in MLB.
What Happened to Tanner Scott in 2026?
Scott had a 1.75 ERA through 72 appearances before coming to the Dodgers, but didn’t show any sign of his past self during the 2025 season.
He had a 4.74 ERA through 61 appearances last season, converting just 23 of his 33 save opportunities in 2025. He had only blown six saves in his previous two seasons, and had never blown more than seven in a single year.
Scott missed out on the postseason entirely, spending the Wild Card series off the roster and undergoing a procedure during the NLDS which kept him out for the remainder of the postseason.
What Role Will Tanner Scott Fill in 2026?
After the Dodgers signed All-Star closer Edwin Diaz in Dec. 2025, Scott effectively lost his title as the team’s closer.
Roberts also commented on how the Dodgers could use the left-hander in the coming season.
“Yeah, exactly,” Roberts said when asked if Scott would be used in more matchup-centric situations. “Being able to use Tanner [Scott] in any inning is going to be good for him.”
He is still a capable reliever, and will certainly play a part with the Dodgers in the coming season.
Do you think Tanner Scott will improve after his rocky 2025 year?
2 Responses
They need to trade for a 2nd baseman……..need a future 3rd baseman……..
If he can keep his head on straight I think he’ll be fine .