The Los Angeles Dodgers need another temporary solution in the ninth inning after placing Edwin Díaz on the 15-day Injured List because of neck inflammation.
That responsibility once again belongs to Tanner Scott .
The left-hander has enjoyed a resurgent season and already demonstrated that he can handle the closer role when Díaz was unavailable for more than three months while recovering from surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow.
When Scott initially moved into the ninth inning, he made clear that the specific label attached to his role did not matter. His priority was pitching whenever the Dodgers needed him and helping them win.
Speaking on SportsNet LA at the time, according to Dodger Blue , Scott explained that he simply waits for the bullpen phone to ring. Regardless of the inning, having his name called provides the adrenaline he needs before going to the mound.
"I just wait for the phone to ring. I don't care when. You get the adrenaline rush when your name is called, and you just go out there and pitch," Scott said.
Scott converted 16 of 18 save opportunities during Díaz's earlier absence.
That stretch included a five-out save against the Philadelphia Phillies on July 21 that helped Los Angeles end a two-game losing streak.
That approach has not changed as Scott prepares to fill in for Díaz for at least another two weeks.
His first opportunity after being elevated to closer for the second time this season came Tuesday at Coors Field.
Scott recorded four outs while allowing one run on two hits against the Colorado Rockies , securing his 17th save.
The Dodgers returned to him during Wednesday's series finale .
After throwing a season-high 27 pitches the previous night, Scott needed only eight pitches to retire the side in order in the 10th inning, including a strikeout.
The 32-year-old is in the second season of his four-year, $72 million contract. He owns a 1-3 record with a 2.28 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 18 saves in 51.1 innings across 55 appearances.
Before Díaz returned to the Injured List, manager Dave Roberts had resisted removing him from the closer role despite his recent struggles .
Roberts even suggested Los Angeles did not have a viable alternative. A curious assessment considering Scott's rebound from a difficult first season with the Dodgers and his previous success replacing Díaz.
Scott's mentality makes him particularly valuable in this situation.
He does not appear concerned with whether he is officially designated the closer or asked to enter earlier when circumstances demand it.
That flexibility gives Roberts an experienced late-inning option without requiring Scott to change his approach based on a title.
His ability to handle consecutive appearances is equally important. The Colorado series showed that he can navigate a demanding workload and return the following night ready to execute efficiently.
Scott also brings the temperament required for late innings, where one mistake can determine a game.
Los Angeles now needs those qualities consistently.
Scott again has the opportunity to become the team's lockdown option when games reach their most important outs.
