The Los Angeles Dodgers have had struggles in their bullpen recently, but reinforcements are on the way in the forms of Tanner Scott, Kirby Yates and Michael Kopech.
All three are progressing and expected to return within in the next few weeks. Yates is the closest toward being activated off the 15-day injured list, followed by Scott, while Kopech is a little behind them.
Scott faced hitters on Friday and then Yates followed on Saturday. Both are now going to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday.
“I thought he was good,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Yates. “I thought the fastball was good, has been good. I thought the split, and that’s kind of the thing that he’s been mindful of, I think he probably threw nine of them, something like that. And I thought five or six of them, really, really good, and the other ones weren’t bad.
“So I thought today was a productive day. Early next week, probably Tuesday, we’ll get him on a rehab assignment. So that’s exciting for him.”
Yates was also encouraged after facing hitters, and doesn’t believe his rehab assignment will be lengthy.
“I think health feels pretty good,” Yates said. “There’s a baseball aspect to this, too. I don’t think I was doing that great before I went on the IL, so there’s some things I’ve got to get back to doing; feels and all of that stuff on the mound.
“I have a little bit of time to do that and I love where it’s going right now, so I think overall we’re in a good spot.”
While Yates will join Oklahoma City, that was a decision the Dodgers made, rather than sending him to Single-A Rancho Cucamonga, which would be a much closer trip.
“Don’t know in the middle of a season, after you’ve pitched in some big league games, what’s the difference between A-ball and Triple-A,” Yates said. “Obviously the hitters are a lot better, but as far as trying to accomplish what you want to, I don’t really know. I’ve never done it before so I can’t really tell you.”
Tanner Scott joining Kirby Yates
After Scott threw his live batting practice on Friday, he came out of it feeling confident in taking the next step as well.
“Good,” Scott said. “Everything felt good, ball is coming out good. Ready to see what’s next.”
The initial plan was for Scott to throw a live session next week, but the Dodgers moved it up due to his progression.
“I feel like I was ready to do it a few days ago, but it’s just whatever the team says,” Scott said. “Just going to follow that.”
Scott is now ready to get back on the mound with the Dodgers, and his rehab assignment shouldn’t be too long either.
“I felt anxious right when I got put on it, but you’ve got to trust the process,” Scott said.
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