Marlins Star Closer Tanner Scott Emerging as Top Trade Target Ahead of 2025 MLB Deadline

LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers’ bullpen picture became even murkier Monday night when left-hander Tanner Scott walked off the mound mid-inning with an apparent arm injury, flexing his throwing elbow after 22 pitches in the top of the ninth of a 5-1 game before a trainer escorted him to the clubhouse. The scare comes in the first season of Scott’s four-year, $72 million deal, a franchise-record guarantee for a reliever. Performance had already raised eyebrows: the 29-year-old owns a 4.09 ERA with 19 saves in 26 chances and an MLB-worst seven blown saves, numbers that prompted Fox Sports to stamp the signing with a “C-” at the All-Star break. Workload questions were brewing even before Monday. Manager Dave Roberts acknowledged on July 1 that the club had to be “mindful” of how frequently it asked Scott to pitch three times in a four-day stretch, noting that the lefty is “always going to say he’s good to go”. WHAT HAPPENED • Scott entered with a four-run cushion and immediately struggled with fastball command, issuing a walk and allowing a single before trainers noticed him repeatedly flexing his arm. • After a brief mound visit he was removed, leaving runners at the corners. Results of imaging tests are expected Tuesday morning. SEASON CONTEXT Scott’s 2025 has been a roller-coaster: • Dominant June (1.35 ERA, 8-for-8 in saves) suggested a turnaround. • July regression (9.00 ERA entering Monday) reignited concerns about his two-pitch arsenal’s predictability. • Opponents are slugging .522 against his four-seamer since the break, compared with .346 before. BULLPEN FALLOUT If Scott lands on the injured list, Roberts could pivot back to veteran Blake Treinen, who has quietly posted a 2.12 ERA in a setup role, or mix-and-match with right-handers Ryan Brasier and Alex Vesia. Evan Phillips, last year’s primary closer, is out for the season after elbow surgery, thinning late-inning depth. FINANCIAL RIPPLE The Dodgers are already paying a combined $452 million to eight free agents signed since December. Losing Scott for any length of time would spotlight the thin margin a club with World-Series-or-bust expectations has in the ninth inning and could nudge president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman to shop for leverage help before the July 30 trade deadline. LOOKING AHEAD The Dodgers open a six-game road swing Friday in Cincinnati, where Great American Ball Park’s homer-friendly dimensions will test whatever bullpen alignment emerges. Scott’s availability—or absence—will heavily influence whether Los Angeles seeks external closing insurance or trusts an in-house committee while waiting for its $72 million lefty to heal.