Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts spoke on the status of closer Tanner Scott, and revealed why he was left off of the Dodgers’ roster for the World Series.
The Dodgers removed Scott from their roster during the NLDS after he underwent an abscess incision in his lower body. In accordance with MLB’s rules, Scott was also ineligible to return during the NLCS. This led to speculation he may return during the World Series, but he was once again left off.
More news: Dodgers’ Dave Roberts Announces Alex Vesia Update Ahead of World Series Game 1
Roberts was asked if the decision was more medical- or performance-based.
“More medical,” Roberts said. “The medical has not allowed for him to have the ramp-up, and as he’s thrown a couple bullpens, it just wasn’t quite there. For us, the cost of potential injury and betting on the upside of how quick this thing came about — I think it’s just ultimately bad timing, unfortunately.”
Scott made the Dodgers’ roster for the Wild Card series and the NLDS, however, didn’t make an appearance in either series. He signed with the Dodgers for four years on a $72 million deal ahead of the 2025 season, though hasn’t made much of a positive impact since his arrival.
The left-hander had a 4.74 ERA in the 2025 season, the worst ERA he has recorded since his time with the Baltimore Orioles in 2021. He blew 10 of his 33 save opportunities this season, which was more than he had blown in 2023 and 2024 combined.
Andrew Friedman Reveals Why Edgardo Henriquez, Will Klein Are On World Series Roster
The Dodgers also left Alex Vesia (personal reasons) and Ben Casparius off of their World Series roster. Replacing those three for the World Series are Will Klein, Edgardo Henriquez and Justin Wrobleski. President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman spoke about the decisions ahead of the game.
“Edgardo and Will, for us, just their pitch mix, how it matched up against their hitters, (we) felt like gave us more margin for error in different ways and different ways to match up that we felt like fit our group really well,” he said.
More news: Dodgers Announce Lineup for World Series Game 1 vs Blue Jays
The entire Dodgers bullpen is on a week of rest, and they will hope their relievers can continue to come through in clutch moments for the final series of the season. Blake Snell will start Game 1 of the World Series, which begins Friday at 5:00 p.m. PT.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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