Here’s a gut-wrenching blow for Dodgers fans: star reliever Tanner Scott is officially out of the NLDS after undergoing a medical procedure for a lower-body abscess. But here’s where it gets controversial—despite knowing about Scott’s issue, the team didn’t make the roster move until after a crushing 8-2 loss to the Phillies in Game 3. Was this a strategic misstep, or simply bad timing? Let’s break it down.
Scott, who signed a massive four-year, $72 million deal this offseason, had been struggling so severely that he’d been relegated to low-pressure situations. He didn’t even warm up during the Dodgers’ first four postseason games. And this is the part most people miss—his absence forced the team to lean on Clayton Kershaw for a second inning of work in Game 3, which resulted in a disastrous five-run inning that turned a close game into a blowout. Was this an avoidable collapse?
Manager Dave Roberts called the situation an “urgent matter,” noting that Scott first showed symptoms during Tuesday’s workout at Dodger Stadium. Scott was replaced on the roster by left-hander Justin Wrobleski, but the earliest he can return is the World Series—if the Dodgers make it that far. General manager Brandon Gomes explained that the decision would’ve required “a few hours’ notice,” but admitted, “We weren’t exactly sure until it was too late.”
Here’s the kicker: Even if the Dodgers had made the move earlier, Gomes argued they’d already used all their reserve pitchers, including Wrobleski, in simulated at-bats during Tuesday’s workout. Still, given Kershaw’s struggles, having Scott as an alternative could’ve changed the game’s trajectory. Recovery time for Scott is estimated at seven days to two weeks, leaving fans to wonder: Could this absence cost the Dodgers their championship dreams?
What do you think? Was the Dodgers’ handling of Scott’s situation a tactical error, or just an unfortunate turn of events? Let us know in the comments—this debate is far from over.
Fabian Ardaya is a staff writer covering the Los Angeles Dodgers for The Athletic. Follow him on Twitter @FabianArdaya for more insights.
