While plenty of attention went to the Los Angeles Dodgers signing Roki Sasaki, their offseason also included bolstering the bullpen with the additions of Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates, along with re-signing Blake Treinen.
Scott was the best relief pitcher available in free agency, and the Dodgers weren’t necessarily identified as a likely suitor. But they coveted the left-hander and signed Scott to a four-year, $72 million contract.
He went into the regular season as the primary Dodgers closer but not solely locked into that role. Scott converted his seventh save of the year on Friday but the Dodgers turned to Yates against his former team with an opportunity to extended their winning streak to five games.
The Texas Rangers instead put an end to that as Yates surrendered a walk-off home run to Adolis García.
According to Jack Harris of the L.A. Times, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Scott wasn’t available to pitch Saturday because of recent usage:
Tanner Scott was down after pitching three of the previous five days.
Treinen, another of the three Dodgers pitchers with a save this season, also wasn’t an option out of the bullpen due to being placed on the 15-day injured list because of right forearm tightness.
Treinen had last pitched on April 13, when he allowed a run in his one inning of work against the Chicago Cubs. He threw 20 pitches in the appearance, his second-highest in a game this season.
Treinen started to warm up during the bottom of the ninth inning of the series opener at Globe Life Field but didn’t enter as Max Muncy helped Scott strand two runners with a game-ending double play.
Tanner Scott concern?
Scott is in the midst of seven consecutive scoreless innings, a streak that began at the beginning of April, and he’s converted all but one of eight save opportunities.
However, Scott’s velocity has been down and he’s gotten fewer swing and miss than from a dominant 2024 season. Scott also allowed at least one baserunner in each of his last three appearances.
Scott’s 11 games pitched are second on the team, behind Yates and Alex Vesia, who have 12 appearances each.
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