The Los Angeles Dodgers’ reliever Tanner Scott, who was acquired during the offseason, recently provided an update on his troubling left elbow injury. The team reported inflammation in Scott’s elbow but, fortunately, avoided the dreaded diagnosis of needing Tommy John surgery. This optimistic progress comes amid uncertainty about Scott’s ability to return soon, a key concern for the Dodgers given his recent struggles on the mound.
Performance Challenges and Injury Developments
Scott arrived in Los Angeles with high expectations after impressing the San Diego Padres in the latter half of last season, where he recorded an impressive 2.73 ERA. However, his performance with the Dodgers has been inconsistent, reflected in a higher 4.14 ERA. His left elbow injury further complicated his season, hindering his effectiveness as a left-handed reliever.
The diagnosis of elbow inflammation raised immediate concerns about the possibility of Tommy John surgery, a common procedure for pitchers with serious elbow damage. Despite widespread worry over this scenario, both Scott and the Dodgers organization hope he will recover without needing surgery and return to pitching in the near future.
Tanner Scott Speaks on His Injury and Recovery Plan
Scott opened up about his experience dealing with the elbow issue, noting uncertainty during the early stages of his symptoms. He said,
“Definitely when it was happening, I had no clue what was going on because I’ve never had an arm issue in my entire career,”
followed by,
“It kept getting worse and I’m like, ‘I have no clue what it is.’ But after today, it kind of gave me like a clear head.”
—Tanner Scott, Dodgers reliever
Looking ahead, Scott explained his cautious approach to recovery, stating he will refrain from throwing until his arm feels stable, adding,
“and then [we ’ll] go from there.”
—Tanner Scott, Dodgers reliever
Impact on Dodgers’ Season and Outlook
Injuries have already presented significant challenges for the Dodgers throughout the season, and losing Scott for an extended period could hamper their bullpen depth further. Nevertheless, avoiding Tommy John surgery offers a measure of relief, as a more severe injury would likely mean a lengthy recovery and prolonged absence. Maintaining Scott’s health could provide the Dodgers with the reliable bullpen arm they need to remain competitive as the season progresses.