The Los Angeles Dodgers placed Tanner Scott on the 15-day injured list with left elbow inflammation prior to Tuesday’s game against the Minnesota Twins. Alexis Díaz was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Manager Dave Roberts said Scott told him he felt a “sting” while attempting to complete a four-out save in the series opener. After helping the Dodgers escape an eighth-inning jam, the left-hander lost control of the strike zone in the ninth as he walked Byron Buxton and hit Brooks Lee with a pitch.
While facing Ryan Jeffers with one out, Scott threw an 85.9 mph slider in the dirt that brought the count full. Scott did not finish the at-bat and walked off the mound while flexing his left arm.
Initial testing on Scott’s forearm yielded encouraging results, but an MRI scheduled for Tuesday figured to provide more clarity on the severity of the issue.
Roberts said the Dodgers were still awaiting Dr. Neal ElAttrache to review the MRI results but that Scott already was “in a better spot” compared to the night prior.
“I think once we get Dr. ElAttrache’s take on it, we’ll obviously have more clarity,” Roberts said. “But right now, just him talking to training staff, we feel good about it. But that’s just again, better than we thought last night. But hopefully we get some good news from Dr. ElAttrache later today.”
Going on the injured list nonetheless is the latest unfortunate development in what’s been a disappointing first season with the Dodgers. Scott owns a 1-2 record with a 4.14 ERA, 4.03 FIP, 1.16 WHIP and 19 saves in 45.2 innings across 47 appearances this year.
Scott has seven blown saves, which ties a career high set in 2022.
Some of Scott’s struggles have been attributed to his mechanics and a drop in average fastball velocity from last season. He is throwing more strikes than before, but generating fewer swings and misses, and allowing harder contact.
Scott’s injury places even more of an emphasis on the Dodgers’ need to add bullpen help before the July 31 trade deadline.
A recent report suggested the team has been targeting several high-end relief pitchers, including Cleveland Guardians All-Star Emmanuel Clase and the Baltimore Orioles’ Félix Bautista, among others.
Alexis Díaz joins Dodgers bullpen
Díaz is back up with the Dodgers for a second time this season and presumably will have a longer stint than his one day on the team earlier this month.
Díaz was recalled July 8 but didn’t pitch and got sent back to Oklahoma City the following afternoon as part of the corresponding moves to Tyler Glasnow coming off the 60-day injured list.
The Dodgers acquired Díaz at the end of May in a trade that sent Mike Villani to the Cincinnati Reds. The former All-Star closer reported to Camelback Ranch to work with pitching coaches before joining the Comets.
While with Oklahoma City, Díaz has gone 0-1 with one save, a 6.75 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in eight appearances. Command has remained problematic as he’s walked seven batters over 6.2 innings.
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