The Los Angeles Dodgers’ pitching staff has been the focus of the offseason. From Roki Sasaki being the latest acquisition to Shohei Ohtani returning to the mound, the focus has been on the starting rotation.
Manager Dave Roberts had been coy about who would be the team’s closer. But in a recent interview, he provided clarity surrounding the Dodgers closer role for 2025.
In a post on X from Dodgers Nation, Roberts named Tanner Scott as the player who “… is going to finish most games.”
The indication is that Scott will be the Dodgers’ closer for most of the season, creating some clarity surrounding the team’s $72 million man in the bullpen.
After signing the four-year deal, Scott was expected to be the closer in the Dodgers bullpen. But Roberts didn’t come out and say for certain who would have those duties until now.
Scott is an eight-year veteran who’s been a member of the Baltimore Orioles, Miami Marlins, and lastly, the San Diego Padres. Scott was the Padres’ big trade-deadline splash in 2024.
Scott has 55 saves in his career, with 54 coming in the past three seasons. With the Marlins in 2024, Scott was incredible. He had a 1.18 earned run average across 45 and two-thirds innings with the Marlins. Scott also earned his first All-Star nod in 2024.
In the three years since joining the Marlins, Scott has an earned run average of 2.71 in 212 and two-thirds innings, along with 278 strikeouts.
In 2025 Spring Training, Scott has a 4.50 earned run average and seven strikeouts in six innings. While his Spring Training hasn’t been the best, his whole body of work when it matters most is encouraging.
Roberts naming Scott as the closer clarifies the Dodgers’ pitching staff. With the staff settled, the Dodgers can now get ready for the beginning of their quest to repeat as World Series champions.
