Tanner Scott’s first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers did not go according to plan as he was hampered by injuries and went on to have the worst year of his career.
Scott finished 1-4 with a 4.74 ERA, 4.70 FIP, 1.26 WHIP and an MLB-worst 10 blown saves in 57 innings across 61 appearances.
The left-hander missed a chunk of the second half because of left elbow inflammation and later had to undergo an unexpected abscess excision procedure on his backside that cost him the entire postseason.
“Not being as bad as I was last year,” Scott answered when asked what his focus is going into the 2026 season. “I mean, last year was kind of terrible for me, but it’s a new year, 2026, and just going to move forward.”
Among other issues, Scott struggled to put away hitters after getting ahead of the count. He is determined to change that in his second season with the Dodgers.
“Yeah, I mean, just not being as predictable,” Scott said. “Using my put-away pitches when I need them, and not going two strikes and letting up a hit. That was terrible.”
When the Dodgers signed Scott to a four-year, $72 million contract, he was coming off an elite two-year stretch with the Miami Marlins and San Diego Padres.
Scott posted a 2.04 ERA, 2.53 FIP and 1.05 WHIP while striking out an elite 31.3% of hitters in 150 innings from 2023-2024.
The 31-year-old took a big step back last season, which he believes was the result of shifting away from what made him so successful in previous years.
“I tried doing something that I didn’t normally do, and I didn’t play to my strengths,” Scott explained. “The past two years, and the past two years before that were really good, and I kind of got away from that.”
Scott believes he made unnecessary changes due to wanting to make a good first impression on his Dodgers teammates.
“Expectations,” Scott began. “I mean, trying to be perfect, and when you try to be perfect, you are not perfect. So just be myself.”
Tanner Scott trusting Dodgers coaches
Scott is confident he can get back to his old self this season with the help of his Dodgers teammates and coaching staff.
“Trusting my stuff, trusting the coaches,” Scott said. “We got a great staff, and we got great teammates, so it’s going to be fun.”
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